Andrew Hughes, VERVE project conservator, talks about some interesting findings and difficult challenges whilst preparing objects for display in the new Hide and Leather working case. Leather has a multitude of uses from shoes to saddles, water carriers to writing material. The museum collection houses leather from Ancient Egypt to the present day, made from the skin from mammals, reptiles, birds and fish.
This varied material presents a conservator with many different problems. What are the needs of historic leather? What stories can conservation work reveal about these objects and what new questions have they raised?