Glass at risk: A new approach for the study of 19th century vessel glass

This paper describes a novel multi-modal approach to the technical study of vessel glass based on a group of rare musical instruments: glass flutes and piccolos made by Claude Laurent and his workshop in Paris in the first half of the 19th century. Current condition issues that plague many of these instruments are characterized by a suite of complementary, non-invasive techniques, including optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, visible-near infrared-shortwave infrared fiber optic spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and UV fluorescence spectroscopy. Microsamples of surface particles on the glass surfaces are also analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. This combined methodology contributes to improved capabilities for analysis of historical vessel glass deterioration, as well as to the newly uncovered story of these remarkable objects.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Automated summary

This paper presents a novel multi-modal approach for the technical study of vessel glass using a group of rare musical instruments. Several non-invasive techniques, including optical microscopy, spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, are utilized to characterize the current condition issues of these instruments. The combination of these methods contributes to improved analysis capabilities and reveals the newly uncovered story of these remarkable objects.