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About
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Staff
The Lab
Advisory Board
Careers
Contact Us
What We Do
Overview
Furniture
Antique Frames & Gilding
Objects, Antiques, & Sculpture
Paintings
Photographs
Rare Books
Textiles
Works of Art on Paper
Custom Framing & Display
Digital Restoration
Fine Art Shipping & Installation
Fine Art Storage
Art Collection Assessments & Conditon Reports
Claims
Report a Claim
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Getting Started
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July 30, 2024
Carissa Tonner


FISH, FEATHERS, AND FINE-TUNING: CONSERVING CURIOUS CREATURES AT THE CHILDREN'S
MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS

July 30, 2024
Carissa Tonner

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest children's museum.
Founded in 1925, the museum houses an extraordinary collection of artifacts,
among which two particularly unique specimens, a puffer fish and a passenger
pigeon, recently underwent treatment at The Conservation Center.

Puffer fish, before treatment

Passenger pigeon, before treatment

The puffer fish, a taxidermy porcupine puffer fish mounted in a defensive
posture, posed several conservation challenges. Measuring 7 inches in height, 10
inches in width, and 14 inches in length, this specimen showed signs of aging
and prior handling damage. The fins had dried, and the ends of the fins had
split with associated losses, while the spines exhibited minimal breaks and
losses. Notably, an opening on the underside, which had been stitched closed, a
3-inch circular split in the skin between the pectoral fins, and a moderate
layer of dust and grime added to the complexity of the treatment. Additionally,
the specimen had likely been treated with arsenic during the taxidermy process,
necessitating stringent safety protocols during handling.

Puffer fish, before treatment

Puffer fish, before treatment

Puffer fish, before treatment

Puffer fish, before treatment

Both objects were entrusted to the capable hands of Josh McCauley, Senior
Conservator of Objects and Frames. His extensive knowledge and experience in
conservation guided the treatment process. The conservation approach began with
thorough photographic documentation of the puffer fish. The cleaning process
involved a soft brush and a HEPA vacuum system to carefully remove surface dust
and grime without causing further damage. To address the splits in the spines
and fins, a reversible adhesive was used to secure the splits, while the fin
ends were humidified to relax them. Following this, the fin ends were supported
and filled with Kozo paper and an acrylic adhesive, and the fills were trimmed
and inpainted with watercolors to match the surrounding coloration. These
treatments, executed with precision and care, ensured the structural integrity
and aesthetic coherence of the puffer fish, preserving its scientific and
educational value for future museum visitors.

Puffer fish, during treatment

Puffer fish, during treatment

Puffer fish, during treatment

Puffer fish, during treatment




Josh also expertly cared for the passenger pigeon, a taxidermy specimen mounted
on a branch attached to a wooden base. An extinct species of pigeon that was
endemic to North America, this specimen, currently without glass eyes, exhibited
a slight disturbance in the feather structure at the wing tips and a slight loss
of skin and feathers on the proper left side of the neck. The wooden base showed
signs of finish and stain loss around the branch attachment, suggesting a
previous alteration.

Passenger pigeon, before treatment

Passenger pigeon, before treatment

Passenger pigeon, before treatment

Passenger pigeon, before treatment

To treat the pigeon, Josh began with detailed photographic documentation. He
then prepared to attach new 6mm glass eyes, a decision contingent on their
appropriateness as deemed by the conservator. The new eyes would be mounted onto
a Japanese paper barrier within the eye sockets, facilitating easier future
removal if necessary. Additionally, new eyelids were created from carvable epoxy
and inpainted to blend seamlessly before the eyes were attached. The pigeon was
gently cleaned using dry methods adhering to conservation standards, ensuring
the delicate feathers and skin were preserved. While the finish and stain loss
on the wooden base was left untreated to maintain the object's historical
integrity, the overall treatment significantly enhanced the pigeon's appearance
and stability.

Passenger pigeon, after treatment

Passenger pigeon, after treatment

Passenger pigeon, after treatment

Passenger pigeon, after treatment

The expert treatments of the puffer fish and passenger pigeon from The
Children's Museum of Indianapolis underscore the delicate balance between
preserving delicate objects and ensuring the longevity of these unique
specimens. Through his meticulous work, Josh has maintained these fascinating
artifacts and assured that they will continue to inspire and educate future
visitors to the museum. 

July 30, 2024
Carissa Tonner
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CARISSA TONNER




The Conservation of Andrew Taylor Still's Sioux Beaded Bag at the Museum of
Osteopathic Medicine
The Conservation Journey of a Musical Birdcage

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