Saving Kentucky's Past - Preserving Ceramics, Glass, and Stone
Image: Late Archaic Projectile Points" (Kentucky Archaeological Survey/Kentucky Heritage Council)
Use
- Handle your objects one a time with clean, dry hands. Use two hands to lift each one.
- Avoid using special pieces to store food or hold live flower arrangements; don't fill ceramics or glass with colored water.
Display and Storage
- Display and store ceramics and glass away from direct sunlight on level shelves. Do not expose them to extreme temperatures.
- Keep pieces separate. Use flannel cloth, paper towels, or thin polyethylene foam to layer stacked plates or to wrap individual items for packing.
Care
- Dust glass, ceramic, or stone objects with a magnetic dust cloth. Do not use dusting sprays, polishes, or commercial cleaners.
- Hand wash porcelain, stoneware, and other glazed ceramics and glass in warm water and a little dishwashing liquid. Dry with a soft towel. Never clean them in an automatic dishwasher.
- Do not wash unglazed ceramics and glass or ceramics with gold edging, hand-painted decorations, or repairs. Dust with a soft bristled brush or vacuum with a brush attachment.
- Bring outdoor stone sculpture inside during cold weather or cover with burlap.
- If a treasured object breaks, wrap all the pieces in paper towels or tissue paper and contact a conservator.
Glossary
acid-free tissue - In the course of time most tissue paper will become acidic and brittle with age. The acidity will transfer to adjacent objects causing these objects to become weaker and possibly discolored. Acid free tissue papers are specially processed to remove such contaminants. An 18 pound weight paper is useful for quilts, coverlets, and the storage of other flat textiles. For stuffing or interleaving, a lighter 12 pound paper is better. This lighter acid free paper is also known as "laminating tissue."
conservator - persons who periodically
examine objects, document their condition, and, if necessary, treat and repair
them to protect collections over time.
For more information or to locate a professional conservator, visit The
American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works.
muslin - a thin plain-weave cotton cloth used for curtains, sheets, and dresses
PAT test (photographic activity test) - a test that predicts possible interactions between photographic images and the enclosures in which they are stored. Boxes or other types of enclosures that hold several images, even if those images are in envelopes or sleeves, should be tested too. Many of the harmful chemicals in poor-quality enclosures can become airborne and, over time, work their way to the photograph.
PVC pipe - a lightweight, durable, and waterproof plastic pipe used for plumbing
polyethylene bags - flexible, extremely tough, and chemical-resistant plastic bags commonly used as sandwich or freezer storage
ragboard - board made from cotton and contains no wood (lignins). Little pulping or purification is required because cotton is the purest natural form of cellulose. Rag board is also called Museum Board, is acid-free and meets the standards set by the Library of Congress for museum quality matboard. It is available with or without buffering.
unbuffered - containing neither alkaline nor acid