AICCM: Visual Glossary

Learn how to identify damage and deterioration by downloading the images and descriptions in the AICCM Visual glossary to assist with identifying damage when condition reporting works.

The images and descriptions can be a guide identify deterioration in your own collection and are invaluable in describing an object’s condition. It will help you talk to a conservator about what treatment your object needs.

This resource has been compiled by conservators all over Australia under the guiding hand of Alice Cannon. The definitions used in this glossary are informed by those used in reCollections.

The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) is the professional organisation for conservators in Australia. Conservators work to preserve our cultural heritage. AICCM works in museums, art galleries, libraries, archives and in private practice. Their members specialise in the conservation of paintings and artworks, books and photographs, Antarctic heritage, furniture, photographs, gilded objects, digital media, costume and glass.