Ceramics
3.3.1 United Spanish War Veterans Memorial, 1933, CT VA Hospital. Overview of glazed terra cotta monument.
3.3.2 United Spanish War Veterans Memorial, 1933, CT VA Hospital. Overview of glazed terra cotta monument after treatment.
3.3.3 Reading Room Fireplace, Henry Mercer, Moravian Pottery and Tileworks, 1925, Parks Library, Iowa State University. Mending broken low fire tile.
3.3.4 Reading Room Fireplace, Henry Mercer, Moravian Pottery and Tileworks, 1925, Parks Library, Iowa State University, Ames. Repair of low fire tiles.
3.3.5 History of Dairying, Cow Fountain, Christian Petersen, 1936, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Terra cotta Cow Fountain after treatment.
3.3.6 History of Dairying, Christian Petersen, 1936, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Terra cotta panel 1 after treatment.
3.3.7 History of Dairying, Christian Petersen, 1936, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Terra cotta panel 2 after treatment.
3.3.8 History of Dairying, Christian Petersen, 1936, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Terra cotta panel 3 after treatment.
3.3.9 MacKay Memorial Fountain, Batchelder Tile, 1926, Iowa State University, Ames. Detail before treatment.
3.3.10 MacKay Memorial Fountain, Batchelder Tile, 1926, Iowa State University, Ames. Repairs to tiles.
3.3.11 MacKay Memorial Fountain, Batchelder Tile, 1926, Iowa State University, Ames. After paint removal and repairs.
3.3.12 MacKay Memorial Fountain, Batchelder Tile, 1926, Iowa State University, Ames. Detail of low fire glazed tile.
3.3.13 Fountain of the Four Seasons, Christian Petersen, 1941, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Overview of the terra cotta relief panels and tented sculptures.
3.3.14 Fountain of the Four Seasons, Christian Petersen, 1941, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Overview of the ceramic relief panels and caps.
3.3.15 Reclining Nudes, Christian Petersen, 1936, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Installing terra cotta relief sculpture
3.3.16 Reclining Nudes, Christian Petersen, 1936, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Overview of the terra cotta relief sculpture.
3.3.17 Tea Room Fireplace, Batchelder Tile, Iowa State University. Tile fireplace after treatment.
3.3.18 Three Athletes, Christian Petersen, 1936, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Cleaning terra cotta during conservation treatment.
3.3.19 The Marriage Ring, Christian Petersen, 1942, University Museums,Iowa State University, Ames. Fragment of broken terra cotta head.
3.3.20 The Marriage Ring, Christian Petersen, 1942, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames. Overview of boy after treatment.
Natural clays are readily found in the earth and have the quality of being malleable by hand when wet and becoming firm and hard when dried. The heating or firing of clay imparts further strength, and exposure to high temperatures causes vitrification between the clay particles making the material water impervious. The vitification process is visually important on the surface of the object where glass layers or glazes are formed by chemical reaction of the clay bodies, added topical mineral slurries and the interior firing atmosphere.
Ceramic objects are susceptible to cracks, breaks, and glaze loss, especially for outdoor objects. Sun baked and low fire ceramics are particularly susceptible to damage due to low strength and high water absorption rates. Conservation requires investigation and treatment compatibility with the material types, object design and function, as well as past and future display conditions. Interior reinforcement and anchoring systems are typically required for architectural elements and outdoor sculpture.
Conserve ART Ceramic Treatments:
- Analysis & Testing
- General Cleaning
- Consolidation
- Injections & Fills
- Repair of Broken Sections
- Replacement Elements
- Composite Patching
- Surface Glaze Treatment
- Safe Joint Rake-out
- Pointing
- Structural Armatures & Reinforcement
- Anchoring Systems
- Rigging
- Maintenance
