Conservation of an antique textile

The photos illustrate the same detail, before and after conservation, of an altar frontal of embroidered silk satin, dating from the XVIIIth century.
The textile was in very poor condition : numerous soils and stains, tears and wear over the entire surface; previous repair and restorations that were aimed to preserve the object but many of which have proved to be responsible for further degradation and damage, this is often the case with clumsy and misguided attempts of repair.
Following its cleaning on our vacuum table, the textile was consolidated on a fabric dyed the colour of the silk satin : the previous restorations were removed to alleviate tensions and the tears and worn areas consolidated with laid couching stitches using an organsin thread ; the stitches attaching the metal trimmings were removed following cleaning to reduce potential tensions between them and the satin and were re sewn at the end of the conservation treatment.