In addition to working directly on objects, conservators spend a lot of time researching the materia

In addition to working directly on objects, conservators spend a lot of time researching the materials used by artists to make their artworks. Sometimes there is a lot of previous research into the materials and techniques used in manufacturing and sometimes there is not. In this case, the materials used were kept secret, and our tools can offer information previously unknown.The object in question is a cabbage vase (top) designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and made at Tiffany Studios in Corona, Queens. Much is known about the techniques Tiffany’s staff used to make the shapes produced in this studio but the glaze recipes were kept a secret–even from Tiffany himself.In the #BKMconservation lab, we have a lot of tools that allow us better identify the materials used in art. One of them is our portable XRF (X-ray Fluorescence), which allows us to identify the elements within different materials.  It can be particularly useful in identifying the source of color in glazes.A recent publication on Tiffany ceramics (left) included a key code with possible ingredients. Though faint, in the margins is written, “Important – this is the key to all formulas.” This combined with the information from the XRF spectrum can help us to narrow down the materials that may have been used in making this beautiful object.The above spectrum (right) was taken from an area of red glaze on the object.  It identifies the following elements: Silicon, Sulfur, Calcium, Iron, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Rubidium, Strontium, Rhodium, Barium, and Lead. From this we have deduced the object has a barium based glaze with the red color likely from ingredients containing copper and iron. According to the formula key, these could be various forms of iron oxide, iron reduced by hydrogen, and copper sulphide. This object will be on view shortly in the American Identities galleries.Posted by Kate Fugett -- source link

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