Abstract An internship for Masters of Arts (Cultural Materials Conservation) in the textiles conservation laboratory at the National Gallery of Victoria involved the treatment of an 1880s Australian wed- ding gown. The gown is an ecru coloured wool basque with a matching long-lined skirt with a short train, bordered with lace. Ecru Liberty silk forms a two part bustle on the back of the skirt, a false pleated bodice and side highlights on the skirt. The silk exhibits desiccation, most worry- ing on the bustle which was almost completely detached on one end. After testing with Las- cauxTM, BEVATM and MowilithTM adhesives under both heat and vapour activation, a vapour ac- tivated method was selected as the most appropriate. A vapour activated lining treatment with SympatexTM was carried out using Lascaux 360:498TM (1:2) adhesive and Sefar TetexTM.
