Conservation and restoration of copper-based objects
The conservation and restoration of copper and copper-alloy objects is the preservation and protection of objects of historical and personal value made from copper or copper alloy. When applied to items of cultural heritage, this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer.
Perseus with the Head of Medusa, bronze, by Benvenuto Cellini, in the Loggia dei Lanzi gallery on the edge of the Piazza della Signoria in Florence; picture taken after the statue's cleaning and restoration
A corroded copper ingot from Zakros, Crete, shaped in the form of an animal skin typical in that era
Chalcolithic copper mine in Timna Valley, Negev Desert, Israel
Acid mine drainage affecting the stream running from the disused Parys Mountain copper mines
Conservation and restoration of iron and steel objects
Iron, steel, and ferrous metals constitute a large portion of collections in museums. The conservation and restoration of iron and steel objects is an activity dedicated to the preservation and protection of objects of historical and personal value made from iron or steel. When applied to cultural heritage this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer. Historically, objects made from iron or steel were created for religious, artistic, technical, military and domestic uses. Though it is generally not possible to completely halt deterioration of any object, the act of conservation and restoration strives to prevent and slow the deterioration of the object as well as protecting the object for future use. One of the first steps in caring for iron is to examine them and determine their state, determine if they are corroding, and consider options for treatment.
The iron pillar of Delhi is an example of the iron extraction and processing methodologies of India. It has withstood corrosion for the last 1600 years.
