History of Conservation: Alexander Scott

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CCI Newsletter, No. 32, November 2003

History of Conservation: Alexander Scott

by Robert L. Barclay, Senior Conservator, Treatment and Development Division - Objects

The characterization and treatment of deteriorated artifacts stored underground during the First World War provided the museum preservation discipline with a strong stimulus towards scientific investigation.1 In particular, the work conducted for The British Museum in the 1920s by Alexander Scott of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research paved the way for the modern era. The introduction to his third report of 1926 shows a forward-looking intention. He encourages collectors: "To feel that many valuable objects that seem irreparable on account of the condition into which they have fallen, are still worth endeavouring to preserve. Even if these endeavours should only be partially successful from the point of view of restoration, in almost every case details of manufacture will be revealed and light thrown upon the causes and mechanisms of decay, and these facts alone may prove worthy of being recorded, if for no other reason than to warn others in charge of similar specimens and faced with like problems."2

Although Scott does not use the word conservation to describe his activities, it is clear that the aim of creating a pleasing appearance through restoration is now augmented by the scientist's ability to derive information about the object. Seen in the above quotation is the rising maturity of the application of the scientific method to preserving museum objects. This is conservation in the making.

  1. Oddy, A., ed. The Art of the Conservator. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992, pp. 13–14.
  2. Scott, A. The Cleaning and Restoration of Museum Exhibits – third report. London, UK: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1926, p. 2.