Context and meaning generation: the conservation of garments deliberately concealed within buildings

Abstract

This paper shows how the context (created from spatial, temporal and textual elements) has a profound effect on artefact conservation and demonstrates this via the Deliberately Concealed Garments Project (www.concealedgarments.org). There is a long-standing but seldom reported practice of deliberately concealing worn garments within the structure of buildings (e.g. alongside chimneys). These finds, usually uncovered during building work, are sometimes viewed as rubbish and are thrown away. Some are valued as evil-averting agents and are re-concealed. Some are valued as rare examples of dress. The significance attributed to the finds affects whether and how they are preserved. If they are valued primarily as rare garments, conservation may focus on preserving the finds themselves rather than on preserving evidence of concealment. The distinct phases of their ‘life’ and the range of meanings attributed to them mean that these garments provide a vivid model for analysing how understanding of context influences conservation.

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