Spanish Royal glasses with crizzling in historical buildings. The importance of environmental monitoring for their conservation. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palomar, Teresa; García-Patrón, Nayra; Pastor, Paloma
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 202(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Historical monuments -- 19th century -- Environmental analysis -- Crizzling -- Non-equilibrated glass; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Crizzling is an alteration pathology of non-equilibrated glasses that can produce a fast surface alteration. The Royal Palace of Madrid and the Technological Museum of Glass (Segovia) preserved pieces with incipient crizzling produced by the Spanish Royal Glass Factory in the first decades of the 19th century. The objective of this study was to assess the environmental conditions in both collections to enhance their preservation conditions and to identify possible pollutants that can accelerate their alteration. Both collections presented suitable thermohygrometric conditions for general collection; however, it was observed that illumination induces humidity fluctuations inside the cabinets. Passive samplers detected a high concentration of formic acid in some locations, mainly related to the presence of wood furniture. In these locations, glass pieces showed a high surface hygroscopicity (pH 8) and a high concentration of K + - and COOH − ions. Highlights: The indoor environments of Royal Palace of Madrid and the Technological Museum of Glass were assessed. The cabinets' illumination induced daily fluctuations of temperature and humidity. The most aggressive environments were detected inside wooden wardrobes. Higher was the concentration of formic acid, faster was the alteration of non-equilibrated glasses.