Performance and Stability of Historic Casein Formaldehyde
Schlagworte:
Casein formaldeyde, early plastics, Erinoid, Galalith, furniture design, Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Peter Behrens, Knockaloe, 78 Derngate House, New Ways House, Northampton, identification, ageing, conservationAbstract
Casein formaldehyde was manufactured between 1904 and
1982 in Western Europe both by International Galalith Gesellschaft (IGG)
and Erinoid Ltd. (amongst others).
Charles Rennie Mackintosh used it in his designs for furniture
commissioned by Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke.
Casein formaldehyde may be identified through a range of simple and
analytical methods available to most conservators in private and public
practice.
We can control the loss of colour and protect the surface finish by
minimising light exposure.
Material, aged and distorted, may be reversed if the correct conservation
procedures are observed and implemented.