Jim Hart Pole | Lavina Li Portfolio

Pole Base, Before Treatment

A section of the pole's base in the middle of the photo was loose due to extensive rot and carpenter ant activity.

Pole Base, Before Treatment

The loose sections were removed for treatment in the lab, after they were frozen for three weeks.

Pole Section, During Treatment

The loose section included several detached fragments, one of which is shown here. Fragments were dry-fitted and lichen growth was reduced before the fragments were joined together.

During Treatment - Adhesive Selection

Butvar B-98 in ethanol, bulked with phenolic microballoons, was chosen as the adhesive and fill material. 15 different formulations, comprising various concentrations of Butvar-B98 (5%, 7.5%, 15%, 20%) in ethanol and different amounts of phenolic microballoons (5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 20%, 25%), were evaluated for brittleness, porosity, friability, and strength.

Pole Section, During Treatment

20% w/v Butvar B-98 in ethanol with 12.5% phenolic microballoons was identified as a suitable adhesive. Fragments were dry-fitted and lichen growth was reduced before adhesion.

Pole Section, During Treatment - In-painting

Once adhered, the excess adhesive was texturized and in-painted outdoors to better match the surrounding material when viewed in natural light.

Pole Section - Before in-painting

Pole Section - After in-painting

Pole Base - During Treatment

The re-adhered section was fit back into the base of the pole after the cavity was sprayed with a borate-based preservative to deter further pest activity. Adhesive was piped into the cavity and in gaps between the loose section and the rest of the pole.

Pole Base - During Treatment

The excess adhesive was texturized to match the surrounding wood and lichen growth before in-painting.

Pole Base - After Treatment

The excess adhesive was in-painted with Golden Acrylics.

Pole Base - After Treatment

Pole Base - After Treatment

House Frontal Totem Pole

Jim Hart

This pole in the collection at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) exhibited considerable pest activity and deterioration, leaving its base spongy and soft. One section of the base was completely loose. This section was removed and treated inside the lab, and then fitted back into the base using an adhesive mixture of Butvar B-98, ethanol, and phenolic microballoons. The excess adhesive was in-painted to match the surrounding wood.

This project was part of MOA's annual outdoor pole maintenance program. More information about my contributions to this project, including documentation, resistograph testing, and cleaning, are available in the Misc. Projects tab.

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