Capucine Korenberg

Conservation Scientist

Preventive conservation

Department: Conservation and Scientific Research

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7323 8772
Email: ckorenberg @ thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Capucine Korenberg joined the British Museum in 2003. She is responsible for implementing preventive conservation across the Museum. This includes testing the suitability of materials to be used inside showcases (fabrics, paints, adhesives etc.) and managing the environmental monitoring systems, which measure the humidity and temperature in galleries and stores 24 hours a day.

She is also involved in the planning of new exhibitions and her role is to advise on appropriate conditions for the display of objects, for example light levels.

Capucine is currently conducting research related to the preservation of the collections. Presently, her main area of research is laser cleaning, an established technique used to remove pollution crusts from stone using laser light, though little is known on its effectiveness to clean other materials.

In collaboration with conservators, she is currently investigating the use of laser to clean archaeological metals and Egyptian painted surfaces.

Current British Museum projects

Light ageing of paints under anoxic conditions

Analysis of salts formed on ceramic objects

Testing of humidity controllers to be used in showcases

Previous British Museum projects

Deterioration of cellulose based materials by ultraviolet filtered light

Light ageing of feathers

Integrated pest management

External fellowships/ honorary positions/ membership of professional bodies

-

Publications

Most recent publications

C. Korenberg, ‘Effect of UV filtered light on the mechanical strength of cellulose-based fabrics’ British Museum Technical Bulletin

C. Korenberg, ‘Report on the examination of the condition of Lindow Man, January 2005’, S. Bradley, P. Fletcher,  J. Parker and C. Ward, Studies in Conservation (submitted)

C. Korenberg,  ‘The photo-ageing behaviour of selected pigments under anoxic condition’, Studies in Conservation (submitted)

C. Korenberg, ‘Laser cleaning tests on archaeological copper alloys using a Nd:YAG laser’, with A. Baldwin, Laser Chemistry (2006)

C. Korenberg, ‘Corrosion stains on metallic tokens stored in polyurethane foam’, Studies in Conservation, 51(2006), pp. 1-10