ABSTRACT
Applied science in conservation has expanded during the twenty-first century to include greater breadth and depth of study, analysis, and collaboration. The case studies in this chapter place science in the foreground of the project and showcase some of the many ways that textile conservators use and expand scientific knowledge. Three case studies by Haldane et al.; Rossignoli and Triolo; and Chamberlin and Garside reveal how technical analysis of textiles can inform both technical art history and treatment plans. The case studies by Peterson-Grace and Coppinger show how a scientific understanding of materials and environmental conditions can improve preventive conservation display and storage practices as well as enhance health and safety. Scientific investigation can also be used to better understand and refine conservation materials and methods. The case study by Kataoka is an example of a successful conservator–scientist collaboration which informed treatment decisions.
