Page:The museum, (Jackson, Marget Talbot, 1917).djvu/186

156 Where it is desired to affix the label to a marble or wooden base a compound of wax and balsam fir described in the Proceedings of the American Association of Museums, 191 5, p. 111 may be used. This does not leave any mark upon either substance and is easily removed if desired. It is used in a number of European museums very successfully.

The subject of labels has been exhaustively discussed at the meetings of the American Association of Museums especially in the years 1910 and 1911, and good authority can be cited for any procedure.

The subject matter on a label should answer the general questions of the visitor and furnish sufficient technical information to interest the scholar.

SCULPTURE

The cleaning of marble sculpture, like the restoring of paintings, should only be undertaken by an expert. Soap should never be used on marble, as grease of any kind discolors the surface and gives it a peculiar shiny appearance. Warm water and ammonia can often be used, especially on a polished marble. Experts, however, use a solution of muriatic acid which quickly removes all spots. The trick comes in knowing how strong