Damage to enamelled metal

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Enamelled metals have been found very occasionally to shed enamel
spontaneously.  The effect can be dramatic and shards of enamel have
been known to be projected up to a metre in distance.

The reason for this is not known.  The problem has affected objects
with differing chemical compositions which are housed in cases
subject to varying conditions in the V&A as well as in other
museums.  In some cases, where records exist, it appears to have
occurred when temperature and humidity levels have been relatively
constant and when light levels have been low.

It has been recognised that in order to have a clearer understanding
of this problem, information must be gathered from as many affected
objects as possible.

Please can anybody with any experience of this problem please
contact Joanna Whalley <j.whalley [at] vam__ac__uk> in the Metalwork
Conservation Section of the V&A.  A short questionnaire will be
provided and any information given will be treated with the
strictest of confidence.


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 16:12
                 Distributed: Tuesday, August 20, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-16-12-014
                                  ***