Gelatin as model-making material

I would like to know if anyone has come across the use of gelatin as
a sculptural/model making material possibly in combination with
cellulose nitrate as a dispersion or surface layer.

I am researching some late 19th century botanical plant models,
manufactured by Brendel and Auzouz, that have components made from a
transparent rigid 'plastic' material that FTIR has confirmed as
primarily gelatin while lab spot tests confirm the presence of
cellulose nitrate.  I have not been able to find any
non-photographic reference to the use of this combination of
materials other than in early sequins, and would like to get an
understanding of how it may have been manufactured and any other
applications. The gelatin components are typically hollow, possibly
press moulded in sections and later joined, and quite complex in
design and surface texture.

Di Whittle
Objects Conservation
University of Melbourne
Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:34
               Distributed: Wednesday, December 12, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-34-020
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