Eggshell

MFA Acc. #: 2006.215

Description

The thin, brittle shell from an egg that is primarily composed of keratin and calcite. Eggshell are used as pigments and in grounds for silver point drawings. For preparation, the shells are washed, crushed and boiled in water with some quicklime. The sequence is repeated until the eggshells form a fine, white powder.

Synonyms and Related Terms

egg shell

Authority

• Caring for your Collections, Arthur W Schulz (ed.), Harry N. Abrams, Inc. , New York, 1992

• R.D. Harley, Artists' Pigments c. 1600-1835, Butterworth Scientific, London, 1982

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996