The study of preserving, restoring, and conserving ceramic and pottery objects.
Ceramic Materials: The properties and types of clays and glazes used in pottery making and conservation.
Pottery Techniques: The different techniques used in pottery making, such as shaping, throwing, and firing.
History of Pottery: The history of pottery making and important pottery traditions from around the world.
Conservation Ethics: The principles and ethics of pottery and ceramic conservation, including respect for cultural heritage and responsible archiving.
Condition Assessment: The process of assessing the condition of ceramics and pottery objects, including identifying any cracks, chips, or missing pieces.
Cleaning and Stain Removal: Approaches to cleaning and removing stains from pottery and ceramic objects.
Structural Conservation: Techniques used to repair or rebuild ceramic and pottery objects that have been damaged or are structurally compromised.
Preventative Conservation: Strategies and approaches to prevent future damage or deterioration of pottery and ceramic objects.
Display and Storage: Best practices for displaying and storing pottery and ceramic objects to ensure their longevity.
Documentation and Record Keeping: The importance of proper documentation and record keeping in pottery and ceramic conservation.
Consolidation: This involves the application of a consolidant, such as acrylic resin or calcium hydroxide, to strengthen fragile pottery and prevent further deterioration.
Cleaning: The removal of dirt, stains, and other unwanted deposits from pottery and ceramics using solvents or mechanical methods.
Filling: The repair of missing sections or areas of damage with the use of fillers such as plaster, clay, or resin.
Retouching: The addition of colour or texture detail to missing or damaged areas of a pottery or ceramic object.
Reconstruction: The reconstruction of an object using fragments or parts to form a complete whole.
Stabilisation: The reinforcement of a fragile pottery or ceramic object using supports, brackets, or other structural reinforcements.
Documentation: The recording of relevant information about an object’s history, condition, and treatment to aid in future conservation efforts.
Preventive conservation: This involves taking measures to prevent damage or deterioration to pottery and ceramics, such as controlling humidity levels, limiting exposure to light and handling with care.
Storage: Proper storage of pottery and ceramics can prevent damage and deterioration by providing a controlled environment, minimizing exposure to environmental factors and reducing the risk of breakage and handling accidents.
Environmental monitoring: Regular monitoring of temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions to detect any changes that may affect the condition of pottery and ceramics.