Mosaic conservation
Reference articles are in English.
The Roman mosaic at Littlecote during restoration in 1979. Source
Description
Mosaic conservation concerns the visible units, bedding, support and setting. Documentation and assessment identify deterioration and guide monitoring or treatment. Lifting and relaying are significant interventions that change the relationship between the surface and its original construction.
History
Roman and Byzantine pavements form a substantial Mediterranean heritage. Getty’s Conservation of Mosaics in Situ programme, begun in 1998, developed research and training for their assessment, maintenance and protection in place.
Commissioning
The conservator should receive the work’s history and records of earlier repairs. The proposal should explain condition, treatment aims and the reasons for any direct intervention. Maintenance and access after treatment should be included.