Accretion

Spindle jar
MFA# 72.1370

Description

Maya bowl
MFA# 1988.1284

A growth or accumulation of material on the exterior surface of an object. Accretions may be unintentional (Dirt, salts, Corrosion, insect deposits, Guano, drips, burial deposits) or intentional (expansion, alteration) additions that change the appearance of the object.

Synonyms and Related Terms

encrustation; incrustation; flyspeck; accrétion (Fr.)

Additional Images

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  Encrustation
  ICOMOS-ISCS

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  Encrustation
  ICOMOS-ISCS

Resources and Citations

• ICOMOS-ISCS: Illustrated glossary on stone deterioration patterns

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accretion (Jan. 6, 2006)

• A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998

• Matte Paint: Its history and technology, analysis, properties and conservation treatment, Eric Hansen, Sue Walston, Mitchell Bishop (ed.), J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, Vol. 30 of AATA, 1993

• Richard Buck, Inspecting and Describing the Condition of Art Objects, Museum Registration Methods, AAM, Washington DC, 1979