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Glass is often seen as a relatively stable material, unaffected by changes in environmental conditions, but recent studies indicate otherwise. Research on the atmospheric deterioration of glass has...

The two Stangenglaser, tall cylindrical vessels from the beginning of the seventeenth century, are described in detail. The severely damaged Stangenglaser, decorated with diamond-point engraving and cold-painting, were challenging to treat. Research preceding the conservation revealed differences in decorating techniques. Samples of the paint layers were analyzed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Two layers of resinous varnish with a middle layer of paint containing a plant gum were found on the Stangenglas with Allegory of Caritas and Zierotin coat of arms. In the plain paint layer of the Stangenglas with dancing couples, egg white was identified as the binder. The glasses, analyzed using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, had similar potash–lime–silica compositions, which seems to be characteristic for glass from Bohemian lands. Results of analysis contributed to the discussion about the possible provenance of the Stangenglaser, the glasswo...

A significant proportion of glass objects in museum collections are known to be actively deteriorating, irrespective of the storage or display conditions. Various terms have been used to describe the effect including sick glass, glass disease, glass illness, crizzling and weeping. The symptoms reflect the chemical instability of certain types of glass as a consequence of their manufacturing technology, such as over-purification of raw materials or poor batch formulation. A review of the literature indicates the wide range of approaches adopted to mitigate the problem. There are significant discrepancies between those that have been recommended in the past and those in the current conservation literature, indicating the need for further research.