Caring for Wood

In the same way light can damage a painting, the natural colours of wood can also fade. This means it is difficult to look after marquetry furniture in museums.

The method behind making marquetry furniture can lead to small pieces falling off and breaking. If this happens the museum has to mend it and can sometimes re-use the original piece to make it look as it did before.

Wood also needs to be kept at the same level of humidity. Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. This level of humidity stops the natural water and oils in the wood from drying out and causing it to crack. You can see where the wood has dried out in the Four Large Panels Symbolising the Seasons. When wood dries out it can also change shape through warping.

 

 

Some woods, such as limewood and oak, are prone to attacks by woodworm and fungi. Craftsmen used oak to make furniture because it is resistant to many pests and diseases. Conservators (people who look after objects in museums) protect wooden objects by keeping the galleries at the same temperature and at 55% humidity (55% moisture in the air). This all helps to keep wooden objects in museums in good condition for other people to enjoy in the future.