Overview

The first edition of this book was welcomed not only by the conservation profession but also by those working in archaeology and museums who need to know from what materials objects are made, the compounds that are associated with them or the characteristics of the materials used to package or store them. This second edition includes modifications to several of the procedures described - tests for metals, inorganic compounds, organic and synthetic materials as well as several tests that help to characterize materials. The tests are applicable to a wide range of object classes including metal, textile, leather, paper, plastics and architectural materials. In addition to presenting the detailed methodology for carrying out each test, the authors have evaluated the effectiveness of each test in order to assist the reader in selecting the most applicable test and interpreting the results.

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9781904982098

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Reviews

'The usefulness of Material Characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeology is not confined to museum professionals. This book also serves as an excellent and essential companion for conservators of outdoor sculpture, monuments, and buildings. When instrumental techniques are not available or characterization must be performed in the field or makeshift laboratories, it offers simple and reliable tests for elements, ions, and classes of organic compounds through which the compositions of materials can usually be inferred. In this context it is particularly helpful for identifying metals, ions in salts, and essential components of organic coatings. The authors often provide several versions of each spot test, explain the strengths and weaknesses of each test, and, importantly, give guidelines for the safe use of reagents, test materials and techniques.'George Wheeler, Director, Historic Preservation Department, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, Columbia University, New York'This book is really a very valuable resource!'Irene Bruckle, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin'The Materials Characterization Book has proven invaluable as a centralized reference for spot tests, used in both my teaching and my conservation practice.'Ellen Pearlstein, UCLA/Getty Program in Conservation, Los AngelesSo ist letztlich ein Kompendium entstanden, das kaum Wunsche offen lasst...auf die Gefahr hin, zukunftig noch seltener in meinem Labor besucht zu werden, kann ich dieses Buch jedem Restaurator nur warmstens empfehlen.Volker Koesling, RESTAURO Literatur 4/2002

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