![\"The](\"https:\/\/libapps.libraries.uc.edu\/thepreservationlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/DSC04583.jpg\")
<\/a>The ear and its original housing materials. The photograph and clipping were stored in the yellow envelope.<\/p><\/div>
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<\/a>Note the level to which the ear has shrunk over time as well as the pronounced surface texture. There was also a whitish residue visible on the surface where it came in contact with its cellophane wrapper.<\/p><\/div>
\nSo what to do now?\u00a0 After consultation with our generous colleagues at the Cincinnati Art Museum, it was determined that the best course of action was to construct a housing that would allow the object to off-gas over time and hopefully slow its rate of deterioration.\u00a0 The polymer material used to construct the ear was not easily identifiable therefore any more invasive treatment was deemed too risky.\u00a0 However, I did remove the pressure sensitive tape and as much adhesive residue as possible from the top label visible above.
\nThe next challenge was to design an enclosure that would protect the object, allow off-gassing, and double as a means of display.\u00a0 I accomplished this by constructing a vented tray within a secondary tray.\u00a0 The first tray, which contained the ear, was constructed from microchamber mat board and had two generous-sized slots cut into the base to allow for off-gassing.\u00a0 The \u201cear assembly\u201d fit very snugly into this tray negating the need for adhesives.\u00a0 A second base with spacers served to elevate the tray from the bottom then the entire package was covered with polyester film adhered to the sides of the tray with double-sided tape.
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<\/a>The tray and elevated base which allows for off-gassing during storage.<\/p><\/div>
\nThe secondary cloth-covered tray was constructed with a built-in easel back to serve as a means of display.\u00a0 There is a gap around the border of the mat board tray to facilitate off-gassing.
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<\/a>The primary tray fits snuggly in the cloth-covered tray and doesn\u2019t require the additional use of adhesives.<\/p><\/div>
\nThe small photograph of the wearer was matted and the newspaper clipping was left untouched as it was dry-mounted to its backing board and had handwritten annotations.\u00a0 Finally, a cloth-covered clamshell box was constructed to house all of the materials together.
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