The Team will interview you to obtain details about your mat and its maker. Sharing the story of the mat maker-their life and times, paints a picture of our history and the motivations and influences behind the creation of the mat.
The mat will be examined to determine the backing, materials and techniques that were used and the pattern. This helps date the mat and understand how it was made i.e.,
- Is it a printed pattern or hand drawn?
- Is the backing a grain or potato sack or purchased backing?
- Is the material reused from the home or purchased for the project?
- Were the materials dyed for the project?
- What are the hooking and finishing techniques? Do these vary in regions?
It will be photographed, and a label sewn onto the back of the mat with your official registry number. The photos are taken at museum standards with proper lighting. The registry number on the label will link this mat to the Registry database and can be used to search for the mat on the Virtual Exhibit.
