Approaches to treatment for common causes of degradation in historic tiles
Abstract
This paper will address the common causes of degradation found in historic tile schemes, both wall and floor, as well as the most appropriate methods of repair and conservation. It will focus on the causes of degradation primarily in late 19th and 20th-century tiles but will also take a brief look at 18th-century and medieval tiles. The first part of the paper covers the history and identification of tiles from different eras, with an emphasis on understanding the material and its differences through the ages rather than instruction. While the causes of degradation are often common to many different materials, the paper attempts to highlight the complexities of identification which might or should lead to differences in approach to restoration or conservation.
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Author's Biography
Lesley Durbin began working in tile conservation in 1983 and is senior conservator in the Jackfield Conservation Studio. She has worked in the conservation of architectural ceramics for over 30 years. Lesley holds Emeritus status of the Institute for Conservation, and has acted as a reviewer for the Getty Institute in Los Angeles. Lesley has regularly lectured on tile conservation throughout her career to a wide variety of audiences. She is considered to be the foremost authority on the subject. Lesley is author of Architectural Tiles, Conservation and Restoration, 2nd edition (2015), the only standard industry text on conservation and restoration of tiles. She also acts as conservation adviser to the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society in a voluntary capacity.
Citation
Durbin, Lesley (2019, December 1). Approaches to treatment for common causes of degradation in historic tiles. In the Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, Volume 8, Issue 3. https://doi.org/10.69554/RFJM1979.
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