October 1996: Number 21
An Object Media Enigma
One of the most interesting aspects of working with albums, and by this I refer to any blank book with objects adhered to the leaves, is the diversity of material to be found within them. However, nothing was to prepare me for the extraordinary prints I came across in an album from the National Art Library collection - engravings printed in gold on coloured gelatine.
Highlights in this Issue
Plastics? Not in My Collection
Plastic, Pop and Mass-produced Design in the V&A's Collections
Objects made of plastic are everywhere in the Museum. Vessels, lighting, boxes and accessories are spread between the Ceramics and Glass, Metalwork, Furniture and Woodwork, and Textile and Dress Collections.
Two Pooped-out Pop Chairs: What is the Future for our Plastic Collections?
One of the greatest challenges facing the conservator today is how to deal with modern materials. Modern materials have become increasingly important in museum collections and the Victoria and Albert Museum is no exception.
Other Highlights in this Issue
Milk and Modernism: Conservation of a Smoker's Cabinet designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh
For a furniture conservator whose past experience has focused on problems of construction and traditional surface decoration and finishes, the inlay of the cabinet presented an interesting opportunity for research and a conservation challenge.
'Sham Columns in a Casing of Crockery'
The refurbishment of the Silver Gallery, due to reopen in November this year, occasioned the conservation and restoration of two of the ceramic columns which had originally lined rooms 65-69.
