How an old conservation technique involving salts is winning over museums

Revival of an Old Conservation Technique

Research has shown that a traditional method involving salts, used in a German castle, is a cost-effective and efficient way to conserve artifacts, offering advantages over silica and air-conditioning.

A technique used in Veste Coburg, an 800-year-old castle in northeastern Bavaria, has been gaining attention from other institutions. Conservator Heiner Grieb and his team have been using saturated salt solutions to maintain optimal humidity levels in vitrines holding priceless glass objects.

The same powders used in making gingerbread or tofu, when mixed correctly, can protect treasures from harm.

This method, which has been in use for decades, is now being recognized as a viable alternative to other conservation techniques. The use of saturated solutions of water and magnesium chloride has proven to be effective in preserving the artifacts.

Author's summary: Salt solutions conserve artifacts effectively.

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The Art Newspaper The Art Newspaper — 2025-10-31

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