I would like to respond to the posting concerning the role of curators,
conservators, and conservation scientists in "authenticating" Artistic &
Historic objects for institutions. All of the aforementioned
professionals have roles to play in the decision to study an artifact for
"authentication". I personally believe that conservators & conservations
scientists need to communicate complex scientific and technical issues
clearly to curators - we need to clearly state what technology & science
can or cannot do in the process of attribution. Often, it is a simple
proposition to identify modern materials & techniques, it is a less
certain proposition to clearly identify something out of place if
materials,technique, and patina all seem to be old or ancient (I think
that this is what is at issue with the Getty Korous). Many institutions
do not have sophisticated analytical equipment to thoroughly study and
characterize the materials which constitute artifacts. It is amazing,
however, to see just how much information can be deducted from careful
study of an artifact through proper lighting conditions, the use of
low-power magnification, and the use of simple tools such as ultraviolet
light. I would think that many curators and collections managers would
love to see a comprehensive publication which illustrates the proper use
of low-tech, low cost techniques of examination - a publication which
poses the questions which one should ask along the way - one wonderful
example of this is a chapter in the book, "Ceramic Masterpeieces" by David
Kingerly & Pamela Vandiver on how to properly examine ceramic objects.
 
My institution possess nothing more sophisticated that the ability to
perform reflected / flourecent light microscopy and to shoot x-rays
(radiographs) of small objects using a cabinet x-ray unit. We can often
learn a tremendous amount about our objects or potential objects by using
these simple tools. There are times where more sophisticated analysis are
needed to clarify the questions and sometimes suspicions which our
curators have about objects. Making friends at the local materials
science & engineering department at a nearby university or industrial
company is a start, although many of the professors & scientists who work
with modern materials often know little about ancient or historic ones.
There is a wealth of published information on the materials and
technologies which constitute our objects and, in time, many conservators
as well as curators can educate themselves to properly understand and
interpret scientific data. When in doubt get on the phone, or send mail
to the specialists and tell them what you know and what questions you are
asking of both the object and the analytical techniques you have used or
want to use.
 
I think that the most important thing is that both curators &
conservators should ask and try to answer the most basic (yet complex)
questions of their artifacts and not assume that you already know them.
We are continually learning often surprizing things from the artifacts in
our collections and that is why we preserve them in the first place.
 
PS- I would be very interested to hear Jim Druzik's thoughts on this issue.
 
Dave
 
David Harvey
Conservator of Metals & Arms
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
voice:   804-220-7039
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]