info

glass platform

Purpose of the platform

This digital platform provides a framework for presenting knowledge and research findings about glass, creating a space where this knowledge can be made visible, searchable and available for wider use. The platform has been structured to accommodate a broad range of glass types, glass objects and forms of expertise and provides a base that can be further developed and expanded in the future. Its scope ranges from objects with art-historical information to details of glass formulas and deterioration phenomena, such as ‘glass disease’ (atmospheric glass degradation), as well as scientific research that helps assess the condition of glass and supports conservation measures, including preventive ones. Existing information and research are either incorporated into the platform or linked through sources. The digital platform clarifies the relationship between aspects of design and production processes, formulas, composition and the condition of the glass, while placing these within an art-historical context. Comparable objects from other collections can also be added. If you would like to contribute additional information, please contact SBHK

How to use the platform

The platform has a general layer and an object-specific layer. Information is organised under two main headings, ‘creation’ and ‘conservation’, and the correlation between the two is central throughout.

Creation

Under ‘creation’ are two sections. The ‘making process’ covers recipes, production processes and the role of the maker; ‘(art) history’ highlights key moments in the history of glass and examines the background of specific objects and their makers. This information may also be relevant to a conservation assessment; for example, details about acquisition, past environmental conditions (such as ‘archaeological finds’) and other historical usage contexts.

Conservation

Conservation covers ‘research & diagnosis’ as well as ‘advice & treatment’. The selected examples’ texts are organised according to these categories. The conservation section provides information on the vulnerabilities of glass, how to study these using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and ion chromatography (IC), and approaches to condition reporting. Certain examples provide the outcomes of research conducted on a particular object. The ‘advice & treatment’ section explains how to store, pack, handle and clean glass and when to consult a conservator.