The Conservator's Cookbook

Solution Preparation for the Heritage Professional

Laura Chaillie

$69.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
30 December 2024

Art & Architecture; Conservation, restoration & care of artworks; Museums & museology

The Conservator’s Cookbook is a collection of practical, step-by-step guides outlining how to prepare various solutions, adhesives, gels, and other mixtures used in heritage conservation.

While most conservators learn the chemical rationale of solution-making during their training, the actual process of preparing these compounds can be neglected or eventually forgotten. This “cookbook” provides a non-exhaustive and adaptable resource, compiling practical recipes from across heritage conservation literature into a single volume. Drawing from techniques used in furniture, paper, paintings, textiles, and other conservation specialisms, each “recipe” in the Cookbook begins with a short summary of key chemical ideas, before relating step-by-step instructions. The solutions range from simple dissolutions (adhesive resins), to more complex cleaning systems (utilising surfactants, chelation agents, and enzymes) and gelled carriers. Each “recipe” is followed with collections of technical data which help to bridge the gap between chemical understanding and practical application. The Cookbook also provides important notes on health and safety and laboratory best practice, addressing some common misunderstandings and encouraging more sustainable approaches.

Intended for the experienced professional and conservation student alike, The Conservator’s Cookbook is a crucial reference work that provides a starting point for practical experimentation and interaction between different conservation specialisms.

By: Laura Chaillie
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 450g
ISBN: 9781032489780
ISBN 10: 1032489782
Pages: 226
Publication Date: 30 December 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Introduction; One: Bench Skills; Two: Adhesivs and Consolidants; Three: Clays and Gels; Four: Cleaning Agents; Appendix.

Laura Chaillie is a London-based objects conservator. Drawing from her background as an instructor, she is a keen communicator and active researcher. Her research interests include the characterisation and interventive care of plastics, with special focus on the preservation of electronic musical instruments.