A gold leather fragment with floral design mounted on a wooden panel, Mechelen, 18th C.

Dim.: 78 x 57,3 cm

The document on the back reads: 

18th century (1700-1720) Mechelen gold leather

Determination of leather condition.
The acidity of the leather was pH 2.8 and was determined using ammonia gas increased to 3.5.
The fat content has been increased to 4.8%. Furthermore, the leather has been treated with Sorbitol.

The restoration
The tears and holes have been repaired with vegetable tanned calf leather, which has been coloured with the BASF paint system. The gold leather has been stretched on furniture board using an elastic material (lycra), so that the leather can work freely. The whole is finished with calf leather glued corner profile. The restoration was carried out in June/July 1977 by the 'Maatschap voor het Restaureren en Conserveren van Goudleer', Hoge Nieuwstraat 27B, The Hague.

An example of this gold leather can be found in the book 'Spanish Leather' by John W. Waterer, see 'Plate 44'.

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