Whether they are tracking pests, finding poison books, fixing a broken porcelain teacup, or preserving historic wallpaper, the conservators at Winterthur combine their knowledge of art, science, and history to preserve our cultural heritage.
Tucked away in a separate building and often unseen by the thousands of visitors to the museum and garden, our team of eighteen specialists includes conservators, scientists, technicians, and other experts who focus on conserving a wide array of objects, including furniture, paper, textiles, paintings, library materials, architectural elements, garden furniture and ornaments, and more. They care for more than 90,000 objects and more than one million library holdings, all while consulting with other institutions and educating the next generation of conservators.
The preventive conservation team also manages all collections storage and display spaces across the estate. Known worldwide for its expertise in conservation, the department, with its on-site state-of-the-art Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratory, uses its expertise to advance scholarship, scientific education, and conservation research within and beyond the Winterthur collection.
Graduate programs, lab tours, public events, school programs, and community conservation clinics are all part of the team’s commitment to education and outreach. In Caring for Your Cherished Objects: The Winterthur Guide, a recently published book, our conservators offer practical advice on how to protect your belongings, including tips on proper storage and display. The guide helps readers understand which items are most fragile and how to avoid damaging them.
This blog series shares the best ways to care for objects, drawn from the book. You’ll find advice for handling and storing books, artwork, textiles, and photographs, and additional tips on topics like the opening blog about identifying harmful materials in collections. We want you to get a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating world of conservation and inspire you to care for your own cherished items.
Hazardous Objects
Why would someone collect things that are hazardous, you might be wondering. Most don’t do it intentionally. During the 19th century, advances in manufacturing led to the use of more hazardous substances. So, some objects are dangerous on their own because of the materials that they are made from. Others become risky over time as their materials degrade.
Common objects that could be hazardous include:
- Firearms: These may still contain explosives and be dangerous.
- Tin and mercury amalgam mirrors: Over time, these can release liquid mercury.
- Lead objects: Handling lead items can leave behind harmful residues.
- Arsenic green: This colorant, often found in book cloth and historical papers, can turn into a powder that’s hazardous when touched.
- Uranium glass: This glass releases small amounts of radiation.
- Dyed or printed textiles: These may contain harmful chemicals like arsenic, lead, and chromium from their production process.
- Wool and other animal-based fibers: If they were treated with pesticides, harmful residues can remain on the material, which can be transferred to your hands and skin.
In addition, organic materials like textiles, feathers, fur, and plants are sometimes treated with pesticides that contain heavy metals or solvents, adding another layer of risk. Even objects that seem safe might be dangerous due to contamination, such as leather bags that may contain lead shot from use.
How to determine if an object is hazardous:
To determine if an object is hazardous, there are several signs to look for, even if you don’t have access to special equipment.
- Condition of Organic Objects: If objects like textiles, wool, feathers, or botanical items are in perfect condition with no signs of pest damage, they may have been treated with pesticides. The presence of a strong smell could mean that the object has been treated to keep pests away.
- Mirrors: If you have a mirror from the 19th century or earlier, check for a blue-gray hue and signs of fading reflection. This could mean it was made with a tin/mercury amalgam, which can release mercury droplets over time. Mirrors made after 1850 typically do not contain mercury.
- Vibrant Dyes: Some older textiles, especially those in bright colors or certain shades of green, might contain arsenic, lead, or chromium. These substances are usually bound to the fabric, so they are generally safe to touch, but it’s recommended to wear gloves as a precaution. Books made with arsenic-based dyes can sometimes be identified visually.
What to do if you suspect a hazardous object:
If you think you have a hazardous object in your home, don’t worry! Most objects can be handled safely with a few precautions:
- Keep it out of reach of children or pets: If the object is accessible to children or animals, move it to a safer place, such as a locked cabinet or box, and label it as hazardous.
- Protect yourself: Wear gloves when handling any potentially hazardous organic objects, as they may have been treated with chemicals. If you don’t have gloves, wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling.
- Firearms: If you have a historic firearm, have it checked by your local police or a firearms expert to make sure it is not loaded or dangerous.
- Repurposing: If you plan to reuse these materials for something else, think about how they will be handled and whether they could pose a risk.
- Consult a conservator: You can bring your objects to Winterthur’s Conservation Clinic, which is held in September, October, November, December, March, and April, for a professional assessment of their safety.
Explore more!
Visit our Conversations with the Collection exhibition in the Galleries beginning March 1 to learn more about how we deal with hazards at Winterthur!
Interested in visiting the Conservation labs? Join one of our monthly behind-the-scenes tours!
Sign up for a free consultation with our conservation staff and students to learn about how to take care of your family treasures.
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