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Ceramic musealization: how ceramics are conserved and the implications for research

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Abstract

The conservation of ceramics in museums today follows protocols and ethical guidelines developed during the latter half of the twentieth century that are based on respect for the original fabric as well as knowledge gained in the material sciences. Modern conservation incorporates three main areas of activity: (1) preventive conservation, (2) remedial conservation, (3) restoration. Conservators are expected to follow a scientific process that includes the following: (1) conducting background research, (2) devising appropriate treatment strategies, (3) recording all work done and (4) assessing the outcome of the treatments. All conservation treatments should be minimally invasive and reversible. In practice, however, many treatments can affect the evidential character of ceramics. Suggestions are made that could improve collaboration between conservators, conservation scientists, and ceramic researchers.

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Data sharing is not applicable to this review article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Notes

  1. 35° 36′ 37″ N 51° 26′ 59″E: site located in what is now the southern suburbs south Tehran. Source: Google Earth

  2. For a review of past restoration methods, see Buys and Oakley (2002), pp. 63–73.

  3. A selection of the most important foundational texts of the art conservation field is provided by Price et al. (1996).

  4. See discussion in Unruh (2001) pp. 88–90.

  5. Horie (2010) provides the most comprehensive overview of the modern resins used in art conservation.

  6. 36° 12′ 48″ N, 58° 47′ 45″ E: location of modern city center. Source: Google Earth.

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  1. Department of Objects Conservation, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, New York, 10028, USA

    Jean-François de Lapérouse

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de Lapérouse, JF. Ceramic musealization: how ceramics are conserved and the implications for research. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 12, 166 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01139-6

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