Technical Research Bulletin Volume 1

Abstract

• The first volume of the British Museum Technical Research Bulletin focuses on material aspects of the collection, encompassing a wide range of activities, from looking at objects carefully and in depth – often under magnification – during the course of a conservation treatment, to analytical studies to determine the chemical and physical properties of objects. Such examination is not an end in itself, but informs wider questions about, for example, the provenance, manufacture, use, history, treatment, deterioration and future preservation of these artefacts. Contents: A shell garniture from Gujarat in the British Museum (Barbara Wills, Susan La Niece, Bet McLeod and Caroline Cartwright) New visions of a new world: the conservation and analysis of the John White watercolours (Jenny Bescoby, Judith Rayner, Janet Ambers and Duncan Hook) The effect of ultraviolet-filtered light on the mechanical strength of fabrics (Capucine Korenberg) An elusive stone: the use of variscite as a semi-precious stone (Andrew Middleton, Susan La Niece, Janet Ambers, Duncan Hook, Richard Hobbs and Guy Seddon) The emperor's terrapin (Margaret Sax, Janet Ambers, Nigel Meeks and Sheila Canby) Aztec conch shell working: high-tech design (Caroline Cartwright and Nigel Meeks) Writing that cannot be erased: investigations of a box of pigmented inlays from the tomb chapel of an Old Kingdom noble (Janet Ambers, Rebecca Stacey and John H. Taylor) The black bronzes of Burma (Maickel van Bellegem, Philip Fletcher, Paul Craddock, Susan La Niece and Richard Blurton) Effects of relative humidity on the corrosion of iron: an experimental view (Quanyu Wang)