Architectural Ceramics

Their History, Manufacture and Conservation

'Invaluable starting point for those involved in the conservation of historic terracotta' Journal of Architectural Conservation

More than a decade has passed since the first world symposium on architectural terracotta conservation in Nashville, Tennessee. However, the general state of knowledge within the building industry about this material has not greatly changed. English Heritage and the UKIC in association with other interest groups held a symposium at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum to continue the work begun at Nashville. The meeting and this book, which followed subsequently, arose from the acute need to improve and update knowledge regarding the technology and conservation of architectural ceramics. The research presented here is immensely valuable to all those working to preserve this sensitive and undervalued material in historic buildings. The symposium proceedings include papers by noted British and foreign experts on new developments and state of the art practice in the conservation of architectural terracotta, Coade Stone, floor tiles and faience. The book is of interest to architectural conservators, restorers, conservation scientists, environmental researchers, and specialist stone and ceramics conservators, in addition to the wider conservation community.

Contents: PART ONE: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND • Fragile Remains: An International Review of Conservation Problems in the Decay and Treatment of Architectural Terracotta and Faience • The Preservation of Delftware Tiles in British Architecture • Coade Stone: Its Character and Conservation • The Manufacture and Design of Victorian Tiles in Relation to their Conservation • The Nature of Terracotta and Faience PART TWO: RECENT AND CURRENT RESEARCH • An Approach to the Evaluation of Cleaning Methods for Unglazed Architectural Terracotta in the USA • English Heritage Research Project AC14: Conservation of Architectural Terracotta • The Use of Laser Energy for Cleaning Architectural Terracotta Decoration • The Care and Conservation of Medieval Tile Pavements at English Heritage Sites • Current Terracotta Cleaning Practice in the UK PART THREE: CASE STUDIES • The Conservation of the Spanish Tile Floor in the Lord Mayor's Chapel, Bristol • The Conservation of Three Victorian Mosaics • Terracotta Facades in Lincoln • Colloquium

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