Fundamentals of Ceramics and Glass Conservation
Code
7418
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Conservação e Restauro
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Augusta Raquel Ferreira Moniz Lima, Márcia Gomes Vilarigues
Weekly hours
5
Total hours
84
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The central purpose of this curricular unit is to provide the fundamentals of science and conservation of glass and ceramics, to give the students the ability to:
- know the different types of ceramics and glass and their mechanical, chemical and optical properties;
- understand and recognize the manufacturing techniques of ceramics and glass/stained glass;
- know the methods of instrumental analysis used in the examination and characterization of ceramics and glass;
- know and understand the deterioration processes in ceramics and glass;
- understand the importance of the condition report in a conservation and restoration intervention;
- evaluate the condition of ceramics, glass and stained glass pieces;
- write a condition report;
- suggest procedures of Preventive Conservation for ceramics and glass/stained glass objects.
Soft skills:
- Ability to time management and complete assignments
- Ability to function efficiently in groups
- Ability to communicate (orally and written)
Prerequisites
Not required.
Subject matter
1. Introduction to glass
What is glass?
Structure and main components
Mechanical, chemical and optical properties
Classification
Synthesis of glasses
2. The colour in glass
3. Manufacturing techniques
Glass blowing demonstration at VICARTE’s studio
4. Introduction to ceramics
What is ceramics?
The structure of clays
Ceramic pastes
Classification of pottery
Manufacturing defects
5. Manufacturing techniques of ceramics
6. Study of ceramic pastes
Contraction and porosity
7. Study and synthesis of glazes
8. Ceramics three component phase diagrams
9. Glass and stained glass deterioration: weathering and crizzling
10. Mechanical and chemical deterioration of ceramics
11. Introduction to methods of instrumental analysis
12. Examination and documentation of ceramics, glass and stained glass objects
Importance of examination and how to perform a written report and photodocumentation
13. Preventive Conservation
14. Condition evaluation of glass and ceramics pieces, written report and oral presentation (group project)
Bibliography
Baptista, João L., Diagramas de fases, Departamento de Engenharia Cerâmica e do Vidro da Universidade de Aveiro, 1993.
Buys, Susan; Oakley, Victoria, Conservation and Restoration of Ceramics, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2002.
Doremus, Robert, Glass Science, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 1994.
Shelby, James E., Introduction to Glass Science and Technology, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 1997.
Fernandes, Maria Helena Vaz, Introdução à Ciência e Tecnologia do Vidro, Ed. Universidade Aberta, 1999.
Navarro, José Maria Fernandez, El Vidrio, 2ªEd, CSIC, Fundación Centro Nacional del Vidrio, Real Fabrica de Cristais de La Granja, Madrid, 1991.
Koller, Ales (Ed.), Structure and Properties of Ceramics, Elsevier, 1994.
Newton, Roy; Davison, Sandra, Conservation of Glass, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996.
Rhodes, Daniel, Clay and Glazes for the Potter, 8th Ed., Krause Publications, 1998.
Tait, Hugh (Ed.), Five Thousand Years of Glass, 4th Ed., British Museum Press, 2004.
Teaching method
The curricular unit is given through lectures and laboratory sessions and one field trip to Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum).
During lectures it will be explained and discussed the different topics of the syllabus, supported by examples and case studies.
During laboratory sessions, the students are grouped in teams and will perform three projects - synthesis of glass and glazes, study of ceramic pastes properties and examination of glass and ceramics pieces with a condition report.
All the results will be discussed with the teacher.
Evaluation components
- Two midterm tests
- Exam and condition report with an oral presentation (group project)
- Assessment of student skills (solving-problem ability, engagement and classroom participation, punctuality and assiduity)
Grade calculation:
NF= 0.25*(Test 1) + 0.25*(Test 2) + 0.25*(condition report) + 0.15* (oral presentation) + 0.1*(student skills)