The Cleaning and Preservation of Metals - Resources

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

There really isn't much to choose between the artisan and the scientist when it comes to the skill in cleaning ancient metals. The scientist is every bit as capable of ruining a good coin as the artisan, the only difference being the degree of guilt that someone-who-should-know-better experiences. A background understanding of chemistry and electrochemistry does indeed provide a powerful armoury for attacking highly specialised and delicate works, however the actual process of cleaning and restoration requires but a keen eye and steady hand. The sections here are niether meant to create a scientist nor confer the skill of an artist but given a little help, many of the more common jobs can be tackled without damage to the wallet or damage to the sensibilities.

Although the Web is the place to browse, Polymathematica believes that enjoyment from a virtual coin collection is just as unlikely as from a virtual library when it comes to the needs of touch and feel. Listed below are a number of books that we believe give an excellent hands-on reference for those wishing to get deeper into the subject.

The Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art

H.J. Plenderleith and A.E.A. Werner

published by Oxford University Press 2nd edition 1971, SBN 19 212960 0

(sadly out of print)

An excellent reference book. Great pity it's not currently in print. Perhaps sufficient e-mail requests to the OUP would make a new edition viable?

Conservation of Marine Archaelogical Objects

edited by Colin Pearson

Published by Butterworths, 1987, ISBN 0-408-10668-9

Heaveyweight use of electrochemistry. Worth getting if you're into the science of restoration or have scuba gear.

Cleaning and Preservation of Coins and Medals

Gerhard Welter

Published by J.Durst Numismatic Publications, New York, 4th Printing 1987

Right up the street of a non-scientific cleaner. Alchemical in parts and with many good practical techniques

Corrosion and Metal Artifacts - A Dialogue Between Conservators and Archaelogists and Corrosion Scientists

Edited by B Floyd Brown et al

Published by NACE, 1977, Reissued 1991, ISBN 1-877914-21-5

Welcome to the oesoteric world of the E-pH diagram. For specialist electrochemists and folk who can ignore equations and still make use of an excellent text.

For anybody contemplating a heavyweight approach to the subject, Polymathematica thoroughly recommends the Master's degree course in Corrosion Science and Engineering at UMIST!

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Last Update, 1-July-96