Jim Tate

Monitoring Copper and Silver Corrosion in Different Museum Environments by Electrical Resistance Measurement

Abstract The results are reported of a systematic programme of electrical resistance measurement (ERM) of copper and silver corrosion rates within various museum environments, directed towards developing preventive conservation understanding and practice. Electrical resistivity measurements were made using copper and silver probes for one month and one year in 33 locations, and these are interpreted in comparison with two standards. Advantages and drawbacks of different methods available for the evaluation of the corrosion aggressiveness of indoor air are discussed. Practical solutions are proposed for improving the protection of metal objects collections. Improvements are also proposed to maximize the efficiency and suitability of the measuring device to the very specific applications of cultural heritage collections.

Monitoring of deposited particle levels within the museum of Scotland: During and after construction

Abstract Dust deposition and distribution were studied over an 18‐month period during the construction and installation of the Museum of Scotland (MOS) next to the Royal Museum of Scotland (RMS). Deposition levels were assessed by measuring the loss of reflectance of the surface of a clean glass microscope slide. Selected slides were examined by scanning electron microscopy to characterise the phases present. Levels were monitored in the established museum to assess dust ingress during construction. In the new museum, monitoring aimed to assess the effectiveness of containment measures during construction work, installation of displays and cleaning. During installation, dust levels at all sites in the MOS were up to fifteen times greater than those suggested for museums and galleries, with the highest values during the final stages of construction and installation. The major source of dust was ingress of external dust from the building areas to the installation areas, although some local generation of dust within the installation areas also occurred. Due to the high deposition levels measured, the sealing of the installation areas and the policing of dust containment procedures were improved. After opening, particle levels remained high compared to suggested values due to ongoing activities to finish the museum. During the final stages of installation and the post‐opening activities, dust levels were also elevated in the RMS, due to particle flow through the access corridors joining the two buildings. One year after opening, levels in both museums are below those suggested for museums and galleries. Results were obtained retrospectively and correlation to specific events proved more difficult than expected. This could be minimised by measurement of slides on‐site, using custom‐built equipment.

Non Invasive Study of Nineteenth Century Iranian Polychrome Underglaze Painted Tiles by Fibre Optic Visible Reflectance Spectroscopy

This paper presents the first results of the application of fibre optic visible reflectance spectroscopy to a group of fourteen underglaze polychrome painted tiles from nineteenth century Iran. The measurement of the entire range of colours appearing on the tiles is aimed at investigating the practices of the Persian master potter Ali Muhammad Isfahani (AMI), who was active in his workshop in Tehran between 1884 and 1893, according to his signed works. In an earlier study, an analytical approach for the non destructive investigation of underglaze painted ceramics was developed, combining microanalytical X-ray methods for the determination of the chemical composition of the glaze (micro X-ray fluorescence, XRF or micro proton induced X-ray and gamma-ray emission, microPIXE/PIGE) with microRaman and visible reflectance spectroscopy, intended to identify more particularly the types of colorants and pigments used (Reiche et al. 2009).