Mercury backing on mirrors

Detlef Klein <klein [at] pncc__govt__nz> writes

>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.

I recommend the article by Per Hadsund entitled "The Tin-Mercury
Mirror: Its Manufacturing Technique and Deterioration Processes",
Studies in Conservation 38 1993-3-16.

Krysia Spirydowicz
Professor of Artifact Conservation
Art Conservation Program
Queen's University
Kingston, Ontario, Canada


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:28
                 Distributed: Tuesday, October 2, 2001
                       Message Id: cdl-15-28-003
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