Conservation challenges posed by salts within ceramic vessels

Coordinator: Sara Aicardi

Team: Federica Facchetti, Federica Ugliano, Divina Centore

One of the main conservation issues affecting ceramic artefacts is the presence of soluble salts within the ceramic fabric: fluctuations in relative humidity experienced by the object in its conservation environment, particularly when rapid, can lead to the formation of salt efflorescence and, consequently, to the disintegration of the ceramic material.

A significant number of ceramic vessels in the Museo Egizio collection are affected by this condition. The present study aims to investigate the various forms of deterioration caused by soluble salts in ceramic objects that differ in typology, fabric, decoration, and firing conditions, as well as to examine the most effective desalination and consolidation methodologies according to the type of artefact and the type of deterioration.

The research begins with an analysis of the case studies represented within the Museum's collection. Based on the classification of the ceramic vessels—organized according to typology, fabric, surface decoration, and firing level—the different forms of deterioration produced by the presence of salts will be investigated, also examining the possible correlation between the deterioration observed and the provenance of the selected artefacts.

The methodology further includes physicochemical analyses to determine the chemical composition of the salts. The aim is to verify the existence of a correlation between salt type, ceramic fabric, manufacturing technique, and the different deterioration phenomenologies.

In parallel with the investigation of desalination methods, the research will evaluate consolidation materials and techniques that are compatible with the different ceramic fabrics, in order to identify the most suitable approaches to counteract the structural weakening caused by salt-induced deterioration.

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Conservation challenges posed by salts within ceramic vessels

Conservation challenges posed by salts within ceramic vessels

Visit

Events

Collection and research

Touring exhibitions

Who we are

Fondazione Trasparente

HR and tenders

Press