conservation

research & diagnosis

introduction

The conservation of glass centres on identifying and understanding vulnerabilities within an object or group of objects. Knowledge of manufacturing processes, physicochemical properties, how glass degrades and the types of damage it can sustain are essential in this regard.

A thorough study of the object in its context is needed to diagnose its condition and develop a conservation strategy.

A glass ‘object’ can refer to many things, including a window, a mosaic floor, a contemporary work of glass art, a drinking glass, a scientific instrument (or part thereof), a bead from an archaeological context or a technological instrument (or part thereof). The term encompasses an almost limitless range of movable and immovable objects.

Providing a general overview of glass conservation is therefore challenging. Each case involves its own making processes, the technical properties of materials, degradation processes and types of damage.

As diverse as glass objects are, so too are the conservation challenges they present, which may concern ascertaining the cause of damage, explaining a degradation phenomenon or taking remedial or preventive measures.

Likewise, research methods are no less varied than the objects and conservation challenges they address. Knowledge may be gained through the technical analysis of the materials using techniques such as XRF or IC, as well as through the conservator’s expertise and embodied experience. The knowledge gathered from all these forms of investigation underpins any diagnosis.