Water Damage

This parasol, designed to protect a lady's fair complexion from the sun, was never out in the rain. Nevertheless, it shows staining from too much moisture, which collected in the folds of the fabric when the parasol was stored in an attic or basement with temperature and humidity levels that changed constantly. The parasol is also faded from too much exposure to light.

Temperature and relative humidity both affect textiles. High humidity and temperature encourage mold and mildew growth as well as speed up chemical deterioration. Low humidity and temperature levels can dry out organic fibers and make them brittle. Furthermore, frequent and rapid changes in both temperature and humidity are even more harmful because most organic materials cannot react quickly to the wide fluctuations.