Glass conservation is the specialist care, cleaning, stabilisation and repair of historic glass objects, including drinking glasses, decanters, chandeliers, stained glass and mirror plates. Its aims are to preserve the original material, slow deterioration and, where necessary, restore stability and appearance without concealing the history of the object.
Glass may appear durable, but it is vulnerable to breakage, scratching and chemical decay. Some historic glass, particularly early or poorly formulated batches, suffers from crizzling, a network of fine cracks caused by an imbalance in the ingredients, while sick glass becomes cloudy or develops weeping droplets when exposed to damp. Conservators clean glass with gentle, controlled methods, bond breaks with adhesives chosen for clarity and reversibility, and may fill losses with resin. Chips on rims and feet are sometimes ground down, a practice that alters the shape and is regarded with caution. Preventive conservation, including stable humidity, careful handling and padded storage, is the most effective protection. Owners should avoid putting antique glass in a dishwasher or using abrasive cleaners. Before buying, check glass under good light for cracks, chips, polishing and staining, as these all affect value.
