Matting a strand of hair

Sometimes archives shows quite unexpected objects, such as a strand of hair of Joachim Lelewel preserved in Vilnius University Library.

The object includes a strand of hair cut just after the death of J. Lelewel in 19th century and two envelopes in which the strand was passed to the Library.

A special matting frame was made of a museum quality carboard and glass to ensure safe manipulation and preservation of this special object.

Vilnius University Library, Manuscript Department, document No. F12 – 478a.

Conservation and photography by Ieva Rusteikaitė.