Initials carved into the seat frame: “NF III” (CSTM 2004.0023)

The swell-body sleigh, one of the most complex shaped horse-drawn vehicles, requires a high level of skill to fabricate. To have survived for over 125 years with its original structure, paint, and upholstery is evidence of a high quality of workmanship. Although there is no manufacturer’s name present, there are initials carved into the seat frame, presumably those of the maker. It is rare to find vehicles of this age with so much original material intact, so this was a valuable addition to the Museum’s collection not only for its history but also for its completeness and good state of preservation. Because any restoration treatment of this vehicle would have resulted in the loss of valuable information about construction, materials, and finishes, the challenge for Museum conservators was to stabilize the original materials to preserve the sleigh for display and for research purposes.

Because all organic materials (such as wood, leather, and horsehair) are susceptible to damage from changes in relative humidity, the transition in environment for the sleigh was of immediate concern. The sleigh had been stored in an unheated barn for the previous forty–five years, and had therefore become acclimatized to the changes in humidity between seasons. This acclimatization actually contributed to its excellent state of preservation. Moving it into a heated warehouse in the middle of a Canadian winter was therefore of concern, since a sudden move to a heated and therefore dry environment would lead to rapid shrinkage of the wood, causing the paint and varnish to crack and flake.

Albany cutter, flanked by two tables, in the fumigation chamber (CSTM 2004.0023)

To reduce the risk, the sleigh was placed in the Museum’s portable fumigation chamber. After it was first treated with carbon dioxide gas to kill any moths or wood–boring insects, the humidity in the chamber was slowly reduced from the outdoor level to the lower indoor humidity level. During this process, the sleigh was flanked by two tables, to reduce the weight of the fumigation cover on the artifact and to protect the fragile paint.

The next stage involved the treatment of the sleigh’s paint and varnish. The paint layers were not well adhered to the wood, and were covered with a dark varnish layer. Before any cleaning was undertaken, it was necessary to consolidate the loose paint. A heat–activated adhesive was wicked behind the lifting paint flakes, and the paint was set back down using a tacking iron.

Paint flakes before treatment (CSTM 2004.0023)

Paint after treatment (CSTM 2004.0023)

After securing the paint, the discoloured varnish was cleaned with solvents and swabs to reduce the darkening, and reveal the original colours. Not all of the discoloured varnish could be removed without damaging the paint but enough was cleaned off to reveal striping on the gear, and details of decorative decals. Perhaps most charming was the exposure of vivid colour detail on the decorative eagle heads on the sleigh’s dash.

Front dash eagle head before treatment (CSTM 2004.0023)

Revelation of the eagle head’s vivid colours (CSTM 2004.0023)

Back panel decal before treatment (CSTM 2004.0023)

Back panel decal after treatment (CSTM 2004.0023)

The sleigh’s upholstery was in fairly good condition except for the missing cushion, and damage to the fabric and padding resulting from a mouse infestation in a back corner of the seat. Those areas with severe damage and loss of original fabric were “re-created” using a replica plush fabric, and new padding material. A replacement cushion was fabricated by a local firm, using “traditional” techniques of padding and stitching. The fabric and padding remaining in the sleigh was cleaned in situ, particularly the area around the mouse nest. The potential for damage to materials and loss of information about the original construction techniques were both important factors in deciding not to disassemble the interior trim.

Upholstery damage by mice (CSTM 2004.0023)

Padding and fabric re-creation (CSTM 2004.0023)

The sleigh was displayed in a seasonal exhibit at the Museum in December 2005, as an illustration of the principles of Conservation as laid out in the Canadian Code of Ethics and Guidance for Practice:

When conserving a cultural property, the conservation professional shall respect the integrity of the cultural property by endeavouring to preserve its material composition and culturally significant qualities through minimal intervention. The original intention, usage, history and evidence of provenance of the property must be respected.

This, then, is what we have learned from this new artifact, from both the physical and historical perspectives. Although we still don’t know with any certainty the identity of the carriage maker who made this cutter, nonetheless the conservation of this sleigh and the examination of the family’s business documents has shed light on the Canadian horse–drawn vehicle industry and, in particular, on the manufacturing process and the workings of this manufacturing sector. Overall, the Albany Cutter has been a most worthwhile acquisition to the Museum’s collection.