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 Conservator Recommendations for stabilizing fossils

Katherine Owens's profile image
Katherine Owens posted 08-03-2023 04:56 PM

My museum has a mastodon tusk that is unstable which has prevented us from exhibiting it safely.  We want to contract with a qualified professional to can evaluate the tusk and make recommendations for stabilization.  It would be great if they are also qualified to perform any necessary work and make an appropriate exhibit mount which will allow us to store or exhibit it safely going forward.

The tusk is 3 feet long and there is a large crack in the circumference about 10.5" from the end.  The crack may have been previously "repaired" but we have no documentation of any past treatments.

~3' long tusk with crack around the circumference at one end, very unstable.
tusk in storage crate, shows crack in the circumference from a different angle. Unstable
Thanks in advance.
Katherine Owens
Curator of Collections
Missouri State Museum
collections.statemuseum@dnr.mo.gov
Bruce MacLeish's profile image
Bruce MacLeish posted 08-04-2023 06:54 AM

Katherine, if you do not have any conservation connections at present, a good starting point would be: https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/find-a-conservator

That will take you to the American Institute for Conservation, and their guide for finding a conservator. If the person you locate at first cannot address your situation, it is likely that they will know someone in the profession who can. Be sure to obtain an agreement for examination and treatment, and perhaps other things, such as a special mount for your mastodon tusk, before committing to the whole project.

Best,

Bruce

Anna Duer's profile image
Anna Duer posted 08-10-2023 01:14 PM

Hi Katherine,

Following up on Bruce's advice, I can give you some tips on searching the AIC's directory for finding a conservator: https://community.culturalheritage.org/expertsearch/local-search

Scroll the page down to “Objects” and check the box for “Natural Science Objects”. Select “Ivory and Bone” under “Materials”. Under “Skills/Services,” select “Treatment” or “Consultation General.” I suggest that you search within a 500-mile radius of your zip code, as I couldn’t find anyone in your local area. Clicking on the conservator's name will lead to their bio and contact information.

There are also some regional conservation centers that may be able to help. The Midwest Art Conservation Center in Minneapolis offers objects conservation to institutions, as does ICA Art Conservation in Cleveland, OH and the Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Center.

Finally, the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) may be able to connect you with a professional in your area.

Best of luck!

-Anna Duer

Reference Librarian

Getty Conservation Institute

Katherine Owens's profile image
Katherine Owens posted 08-11-2023 03:10 PM

Anna Duer,  thanks for the specifics on how to find a qualified conservator using the AIC database.  I had searched AIC prior to posting my question but wasn't sure what search parameters to select to get me where I wanted to go.  So I'll definitely redo the search based on your suggestions.  THANK YOU!! 

Thanks to everyone who answered my question.  I greatly appreciate the assistance my museum colleagues are always willing to provide.  Have a great weekend!

Kate Owens

Curator of Collections

Missouri State Museum

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