Brush consolidation

Brush consolidation of pigments in manuscripts is always done under high magnification.

In the case of brush consolidation of flaking pigment, a wetting agent is applied with an extremely fine brush along the edge of a crack. The wetting agent reduces the surface tension of the adhesive -or consolidant- which is applied immediately afterwards. This allows the consolidant to move beneath the loose pigment by capillary action, drawing the fragments back to the surface of the object and reattaching them to the substrate.

Preparing for Pigment Consolidation part 2

Consolidation doesn’t attempt to restore the losses in the illumination, but instead focuses on finding areas where the pigment is actively deteriorating and then readhering the loose pigment to the surface of the parchment. Successful consolidation requires accurate identification of active damage and loss to the pigment.