Authentication of glass beads from Cultural Heritage: An interdisciplinary and multi-analytical approach.

Analysis of glass-based artworks is important for authentication purposes. In recent years, there have been rapid advancements and improvements in the characterization of glass objects using different analytical approaches. The present study presents an interdisciplinary and multi-analytical authentication approach that provides useful tools and markers to unmask possible imitations, counterfeiting, and forgeries in Cultural Heritage glass beads by comparing the composition of historical and modern glass beads.

Durability of anti-graffiti coatings on stone: natural vs accelerated weathering.

Extending the use of novel anti-graffiti coatings to built heritage could be of particular interest providing the treatments are efficient enough in facilitating graffiti removal and long-lasting to maintain their protective properties without interfering with the durability of the substrates. However, studies of the durability of these coatings are scarce and have been mainly carried out under accelerated weathering conditions, the most common practice for assessing the durability of materials but one that does not reproduce accurately natural working conditions. The present study aimed to assess the durability of the anti-graffiti protection afforded by two anti-graffiti treatments (a water dispersion of polyurethane with a perfluoropolyether backbone and a water based crystalline micro wax) on Portland limestone and Woodkirk sandstone after 1 year of outdoor exposure in the South of England with periodic painting and cleaning episodes taking place.