Preservation of Plastic Cultural Heritage. A Review

Abstract

This article deals with the broad topic of the conservation of plastics, which, as objects of historical or artistic value an essential part of collections all around the world. This review focuses on the risks associated with plastic art, its degradation pathways, methods of identification and characterization, and currently used methods of preservation. Besides the literature review, an online survey of European museums and galleries was conducted, which allowed us to gain an overview of the current state of plastic conservation. Twelve institutions participated in the survey and there is a marked difference in the level of information regarding plastics in their collections. The results underline the relevance and urgency of this issue if we want to prevent the irreversible losses of cultural heritage, as many institutions do not have the means to ensure the effective protection of plastic artifacts. The study of available resources shows us that great progress has been made in recent years, but further research and improvement are still needed.