Lead in Glassy Materials in Cultural Heritage

Although the development of lead crystal was a major step in the history of glass in the late 17th century, the presence of lead in vitreous matrices (glass and glazes) is much older, dating back to the second millennium BCE.

Lead in Glassy Materials in Cultural Heritage traces the history of these skills and also looks at the most recent developments in materials science concerning the role played by lead in the properties of glass, including coloring. It develops an understanding of weathering processes and notions of the durability of leaded glass. It also examines public health issues and current recommended standards for the use of lead in industrial glass.

This multidisciplinary book is intended for a wide audience: art and technical historians, museum curators, restorers, materials specialists, manufacturers and engineers.

Auteur

Anne Bouquillon is a research engineer in charge of studies on ceramics and plaster at C2RMF, France. She is editor-in-chief of the journal Techné.

Patrice Lehuédé is former head of the Microanalysis Department at Saint-Gobain Recherche, France. He was a research associate at C2RMF from 2007 to 2020.