Department Chair

Patrick Ravines

Date of Award

8-2018

Access Control

Open Access

Degree Name

Art Conservation, M.A., C.A.S.

Department

Art Conservation Department

Advisor

Jonathan Thornton

Department Home page

https://artconservation.buffalostate.edu

First Reader

Dr. Aaron Shugar

Second Reader

Dr. Rebecca Ploeger

Third Reader

Jiuan Jiuan Chen

Abstract

A northwestern California basket was brought to the SUNY Buffalo State Garman Art Conservation Department for treatment and analysis in the fall of 2016. The basketry materials, colorants and fabrication methods were investigated. Material analysis was carried out using polarized light microscopy (PLM) to identify the types of woody plant materials used. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) were performed to better understand possible colorants. Mockups and a 3D model, both digital and printed, were created to gain insight into the construction techniques. Analysis confirmed the baskets place of origin as Northwestern California; however, due to the similar basketry styles between tribes of the region, a tribal origin could not be determined. Dye analysis was inconclusive. Finally, conservation treatment was carried out on the basket to stabilize detached elements, compensating where appropriate, and reshaping to more accurately represent the original form.

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