Mercury backing on mirrors

I have a clock case decorated with, amongst other materials, mirrors
cut as mouldings. The clock is 18th century and French, the mirrors
are mercury backed and originally adhered to the oak case work with
animal glue. The mercury has in some cases separated from the glass,
small droplets gathering in cracks etc of the case. The mirror
mouldings are insecure or have separated.

Does anybody have knowledge or experience in dealing with this:

    1.  Conservation of deteriorating mercury backed mirrors
    2.  Restoration of bare patches where mercury has been lost
    3.  Proper collection and safe disposal of the tiny droplets of
        mercury that have separated from the glass
    4.  Ideas on reaffixing separated mirror mouldings
    5.  literature on mercury and mirrors

I look forward to lots of replies, thanks,

Detlef Klein


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:27
               Distributed: Thursday, September 27, 2001
                       Message Id: cdl-15-27-013
                                  ***