Condition and Treatment of Padihershef in 2003

In 2003, Mimi Leveque, mummy conservator from the Peabody Essex Museum, helped in the conservation and preservation of Padihershef. Below are the drawings, conditions and part of Mimi's report from 2003.

Sketch of Padihershef's wrappings original appearance
Photo and sketch by Mimi Leveque

In 1823, Dr. Warren opened Padi's coffin and revealed most of his wrappings and beading. Based on Dr. Warren's account Mimi has sketched a possible reconstruction of the wrappings and faience beaded netting. 

"... the faience bead net had deteriorated and lay at the feet, still partly retaining the linen threads that joined them.  The mummy was covered with a shroud that was crossed by lighter bands at intervals.  Below the crossing bands were remains of darker bands that had nearly completely disintegrated due to the original acidic dye. Dr. Warren cut through the shroud covering the head of the mummy, revealing approximately 25 turnings of 3" wide linen bands. The outer layers were well preserved but the inner layers were quite decayed, probably due to contact with the oils and resins of embalming, that he called a "glutinous substance". "  

 

- Padihershef Condition and Treatment Report by Mimi Leveque

 

Condition of Padihershef

Padihershef, Sketch of the condition of the wrappings, netting and face
Sketch by Mimi Leveque

Over time, Padihershef stood in his case which caused deterioration of the netting, linens and body. There were polyethylene straps to keep Padi from falling out of his coffin, but this unfortunately compressed and crushed the linens below. Laying him down in his coffin would relieve the weight of gravity and help preserve the mummy and coffin as a whole.

There were many losses and holes in the fabric. These appear to be ancient. The face had evidence of efflorescence which is due to the salts from the embalming period. 

Treatment 2003

Mimi was able to remove the reemerging efflorescence with a cotton swab and saliva. The linens were vacuumed with a small micro attachment on a low speed setting. The loose wrappings were pinned back lightly with insect pins. Padihershef was given a new backboard from Medex (while he was in Springfield). The backboard was covered in linen and quilt batting to cushion the mummy while it rested.

In the summer of 2013, a more in depth treatment will take place which will include conserving the coffin, laying Padihershef horizontally, treating the linens, and giving him a new plexi case.