Why aren't you wearing gloves? The conservators' guide to object handling in the British Museum

Whenever we upload a video that features a member of staff handling an object without gloves we receive a flood of comments asking why.
To help clear up the confusion, we asked our conservators to tell us when you should (and shouldn't) wear gloves while handling museum objects.

[@RoronoaZoroSensei]

I liked that there were multiple people in this each talking from their own perspective!

[@rubixmantheshapeshifter1769]

Yes me too . I watched these folks years ago . I never got bored

[@kev3d]

So, don't eat Egyptian polychrome coffins. Got it.

[@thomascoppens8498]

But how else am i gonna get in my minerals? You messed with my entire diet!

[@kenc2257]

Especially avoid those yellows and reds! [or you may require your own monochromatic coffin...]

[@respectfulconversation944]

Well they DID eat powder made of grind mummies for "health", called mumia, so the warning is notentirely out of place :)

[@babysealsareyummy]

This is an outrage……… I was going to eat that mummy!

[@albertbatfinder5240]

Oops! Now you tell me.

[@RB-kh6fo]

Working in public archives, I ask my patrons to wear gloves when handling rare or fragile documents. It is easier than guessing when they last washed their hands.

[@ragnkja]

I guess that’s an option if you don’t have the luxury of mandating that they wash their hands immediately before handling your objects, and a sink to direct them to so that they may do so.

[@bioniclegoblin6495]

I really like that this channel doesn't just show "old objects" and their history, (though they are certainly amazing and already worth it), but also gives fascinating insights into it's techniques, and is so connected to their audience. It makes them so much more relatable, and understandable for... non-professionals. I'd love to see more these.

[@FrancescaPessarelli]

I worked in a rare books department for a few years and 99% of the time we/our patrons didn't wear gloves because we were more concerned with having a less nuanced sense of dexterity which would increase the risk of tearing or bending the pages. Gloves make us less aware of how much pressure we're using.

[@peterdammeliusosterode3424]

As a Swedish museum curator, it is very interesting to see how these issues are dealt with in other countries. A very good feature.👍

[@dermmerd2644]

What are the "rules" in Sweden regarding usage of gloves?

[@epiccollision]

@@dermmerd2644 wear them, damage may be reversible, and humans are universally dumb why test that?

[@PaxxTan]

What methods were different from what you're used to?

[@HappyRussians]

@@dermmerd2644 : I used to work in the National Library of France, scanning and digitizing 18th century books. No gloves.

[@Jasmixd]

They've said: Object/-s 30 times Glove/-s 26 times During the course of the video. You're welcome.

[@BeyondtheRecord]

looks like a fun drinking game

[@HROM1908]

...and you are ?

[@BothHands1]

Beyond the Record i was just about to say : that's a lotta shots to drink 😅

[@travismaenle9416]

Thank you for your service

[@gcm4312]

Are there tours of the 'backoffice'/labs of the British Museum? This is super interesting

[@britishmuseum]

It's worth keeping an eye on the events pages as they are a semi-regular event. There are 4 tours of the labs in May but they are all sadly fully booked. However, you can ask to be put on the waiting list for one of the tours by emailing [e-mail] More information here: www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/event_detail.aspx?eventId=4349&title=Behind-the-scenes%20tours:%20preventive%20conservation&eventType=Behind-the-scenes%20tour

[@lucianocappellano8300]

@@britishmuseum any advice on how to become something like this?

[@fremandn]

I love how you take a simple question and use it to teach both history and safety across multiple disciplines in a compelling way.

[@eugenio5774]

wow, this was extremely interesting! also, that egyptian coffin was absolutely stunning, I would love to hear more about it

[@vickierayhill4637]

Ive handled medieval books, always without gloves, but with clean bare hands. When turning pages, gloves would get in the way and increase chances of bending or tearing edges. Also the animal skin pages wouldnt mind some of your skin oil to remain supple.(Although when I'm done, I can't wait to wash my hands- some manuscript paints were toxic, and how do I know I wasnt touching plague germs or something--LOL)

[@dennisklomp2361]

Vickie Rayhill so basically reading medieval books give ypu the same feeling as when you touch a magazine in your doctors office waiting room

[@BothHands1]

Dennis Klomp 😂

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

Hope you didn't lick your finger when turning pages too. I wouldn't trust any stray lead white or cinnabar or tin yellow or vermillion to fall off the illuminations. Toxic but beautiful. I bet you've handled many a book of hours or choir book or secular piece. Jealous as.

[@cecilyerker]

@@jenniferschmitzer299 anyone who licks their fingers to turn a page should be shot to put them out of their misery

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

@@cecilyerker dex or sinistra

[@thesandwich5321]

I remember there used to be a display in some National Trust houses, where they had two identical objects beside each other, one covered, the other that visitors were encouraged to touch. The wear and tear after only a week was obscene.

[@mariusweber4990]

This channel is amazing, the British museum was one of my favourite museums already but this is next level.

[@danukil7703]

I was wondering about this ever since I first saw Dr. Finkel handling an old cuneiform tablet without gloves. I remember initially assuming that it was some replica, until later he was handling bare-handed a real specimen, which almost freaked me out. Thank you for this explanation!! :)

[@kenc2257]

Just remember...for Dr Irving Finkle, what you consider "old" is just everyday contemporary stuff for him... [he might have been neighbors with the guy who wrote that tablet]

[@germantennesseean8438]

@@kenc2257 You are a wizard Irving

[@MrSororitas]

I greatly enjoy the content provided by the british museum online. Thank you for another very informative video. Much more interesting than I originally thought when I read the title. So much care goes into even such seemingly small decisions. It shows the passion all the conservators have for their job.

[@Lazarus7000]

Holy shit, that Egyptian sarcophagus is the real deal!?! It looks like it's 25 years old, maybe 50! Yeah those pigments are insanely vibrant, really makes you wonder what the guy who decided to use them would think knowing just how appropriate a choice he made!

[@thomascoppens8498]

He'd probably think: Oh cool!... Oh so that's why i died.

[@Dirtbag-Hyena]

@@thomascoppens8498 Sarcophagus makers probably had A short life span. I imagine that much detail he\she was around & touching as well as breathing the toxic substances. Probably made indoors with no ventilation too. Sure was beautiful though.

[@jenniferschmitzer299]

ground mineral paint ftw

[@VanK782]

Egyptians have been around for quite a while so they might have been aware of what pigments hold up when that coffin was made

[@neruneri]

@@Dirtbag-Hyena I dunno about that, people weren't less intelligent and able to spot patterns in the past than we are now, and gloves are not a new technology. If we assume that the line of work has inherent damage to lifespans, I think it's fair to say that they would've noticed it too and tried to mitigate it. A good example of this is hygiene, germ theory is a very recent discovery but even in ancient times people understood the need for washing your hands and body, they just didn't necessarily understand *why* .

[@dylanmosley6237]

i am going to have to watch this a second time because the first time through, i was paying too much attention to the diverse array of accents. i like how cosmopolitan the staff is.

[@SharonLinfromTaiwan]

I love these, please do more. Love to see all the behind-the-scene work. :)

[@hobbitilius]

Very insightful video. I also really like to see the diverse and knowledgeable staff that does such great work to preserve the wonderful objects of the British Museum.

[@rubixmantheshapeshifter1769]

I'm deeply hooked to understand how you work with each museum artifact . Makes us feel like we are working alongside of your museum

[@nemosangel]

Thank you so much for this! I'm studying conservation in Argentina and your KZbin channel keeps my passion alive 😍. I wish I could work there one day!

[@dk4636]

I've always wondered that, thanks for answering!

[@randomgirll3123]

I love this! I’ve never fully paid attention to weather or not people are wearing gloves in different instances. It’s really cool.

[@mortalclown3812]

Whoa - I could have spent an hour looking at the coffin/sarcophagus at 4:00. Ravishing images and colors.

[@nsbd90now]

lol! I've had this question. This is a great channel. Thanks!

[@ZenithRadio]

I collect ephemeral (items designed for a short use and typically disposed/recycled - I.e. tickets, brochures, magazines et cetera) in my case, newspaper covers. What I have learned concerning gloves is this. After I do an initial deacidification (news print is very acidic, will yellow and crumble with time, and needs to be neutralized) with gloves, I never again wear gloves. I have found that clean dry hands are far preferable and safer than nitrile/latex gloves (you must wash hands/arms frequently though). You have fine dexterity in the hands, while the gloves tend to give far too much “traction” for newspapers and will cause you to tear delicate items. I should add, that when handling large items like posters and news print, you should wash your arms along with your hands - as you may have to rest items on your arms while articulating into holders. This has been my experience from many years of handling, storing, and preserving/collecting. I collect newspaper covers of every major event in my lifetime - lets me remember and see how greatly society has changed (which is a lot!). As a side note, this hobby is getting ever more difficult with the loss of so many physical newspaper printers. Hope this information is beneficial to someone. Now, with numismatics (coins specially), horologists, fabric preservation and the like, I would almost always recommend gloves; where even the slightest acids from the body creates damage. Learning this the hard way with silver I had stored away. All the best.

[@anotherwesley7661]

I've always wondered about this! Thank you :)

[@berika2018]

A Turkish conservator? I am really proud of Dr. Duygu Çamurcuoğlu, she should be a role model for Turkish youth but I learned of her just now!

[@RealSalica]

Thanks for these infos , I was actually asking myself this question !

[@MrAnonymoss]

I've always enjoyed history but never been great at school (grades were ok but I never did my homework and hardly turned up! :( ) But I just wanted to say these series have really woken that passion for history back up (I spent a lot of time visiting castles with my Dad as a kid) I'm sure working with such historical fascinations is reward in itself but I hope it's rewarding to know you've sparked that childlike wonder and curiosity in a 24 year old man Who knows I might even go back and give higher education another try and join you guys in a few years! If not I might just keep showing up at museums until you get used to me ;) Great video loved it!

[@kitt3813]

I used to get asked this all the time when I worked with rare books at Oxford- used to drive me mental!

[@inessamaria2428]

Great video. Very informative

[@ingeborg-anne]

Oh! Hi, Dr Camurcuoglu! Long time no see!

[@randomdogdog]

This video was great! Are there any other videos on conservation techniques at The British Museum?

[@britishmuseum]

Probably not directly, but we do have two series which follow the week by week conservation of two objects in the collection. Each episode explains the techniques used by our conservators in quite high detail. Links are: Conservation of a Romano-British Funerary Urn: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIelaoqIeMapiqM Conservation of a Tang Dynasty Tapestry: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaqugoCjqLt5Y7c We also have a series of videos explaining the kinds of terms and techniques Museum staff use in relation to object care and handling: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmG2gp1slMRog8k

[@RebusForever]

I watched this video with a hangover, all i heard was gloves.

[@FreeManFreeThought]

I volunteer at a local museum in Saanichton BC Canada; this also depends upon the capabilities of the museum. If something is beyond our ability to conserve, we send it to the "white glove" curators at the Royal British Columbia Museum or another better funded establishment. Also key is the distinction between a capitol "M" Museum which follow a generally conservative role and Historical Societies, which focus on restoration and re-enactment.

[@mistaecco]

Fascinating!

[@dylanhume1093]

I'm in love with Fabiana Portoni. Whoever runs this channel put in a good word!

[@albertbatfinder5240]

In TV productions the gloves always come out where the director is keen to emphasise the antiquity of a book or document. It’s a sign that the show is not so serious. Another “tell” is people walking around in lab coats that aren’t buttoned up at the front. There is no point in wearing unbuttoned lab coats. Think of cooking aprons, or welding aprons for that matter. The main danger is your front, not your back.

[@9786oof]

I was an art con undergrad and when I was working in the special collections archives and my boss was handling cuneiform tablets I was absolutely shocked she wasn't using cotton gloves but didn't ask, I've just been shocked ever since

[@featherpuke]

Thank you for this film A

[@JonatasAdoM]

It also depends on your hands. Some hands are quite greasy.

[@nokomarie1963]

Great! Now can we see fewer squawks on the glove thing in the comments?

[@ellicooper2323]

The armchair archeologists are always more ‘expert’ than the experts, don’t you know.

[@marlitolosa7868]

thanks

[@jaybird702mpw]

The oldest things I have are a 17th century brass sector and a early 17th century book. I absolutely encourage gloveless handling. It can be a mind-blowing connection to the object and its history.

[@cfrandre8319]

jaybird702mpw as long as you are not in contact with moulds

[@judyorourke2410]

I was wondering if a protective mask is also sometimes worn when handling objects (say, polychromed wood or stone artifacts encrusted with mold) that might kick up some dust or spores.

[@ariochiv]

It's interesting, watching these videos, how it seems that around half of the presenters have non-English accents. It gives the impression that the British Museum staff is some sort of international All-Star team. 😊

[@conhand.3578]

BRAVO ! It should be mandatory for all museums, librairies or collections around the world to watch this video! (It seems like such common sense and yet, how often do you still see curators stuck with the “always worn one pair of white gloves fits all tasks” bad tradition!) Well done British Museum!

[@Halinspark]

So the red and yellow parts of a sarcophagus are potentially toxic. Does that contaminate the neighbouring colours as well, or are those possibly safe?

[@drowningin]

Security wore gloves when throwing me out of the museum ): Feels bad

[@adamgoldenstein1179]

What's the piece at 0:55?

[@Voltaire8559]

How do i get advice from these wonderful conservators?

[@joshuarosen6242]

You go to the British Museum.

[@crisrose9707]

I usually wear gloves when working with fossils since they can be very dusty due to the rock they are found in and it also means I am less likely to get small cuts on my fingertips from the scalpel used to clean the fossils with since the rubber is more flexible and durable so it wont get cut.

[@andrewpalframan4666]

You wear gloves when handling fossils??? Do you imagine rock,that has been around for millions of years in extreme of every climate change,are going to melt when you handle them? Good grief!!

[@LC-le9ew]

Cool women doing fascinating work!

[@Noedell]

But what about saliva particles when you talk right above the object? Don't you need those doctors masks?

[@Lank55]

I wish you'd shown someone handling cuneiform without gloves so I could tell the people I work with to relax about that..

[@classicambo9781]

Dr Ivan Finkel often is portrayed doing just that 😊

[@douglasgraebner1831]

Aren't cuneiform tablets pretty liable to surface flaking/damage/cracking if not consolidated properly, which would tend to militate against gloves?

[@Glisern]

If heard that melody now in several videos by different users, anyone knows what the song at beginning and end is?

[@britishmuseum]

Here's a link to the music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6DGn2R7fpuCfpo It's available from the KZbin audio library

[@Glisern]

Thank you! :) Love the work all of you do, the ones behind the scenes of youtube content, and everyone who works at the museum.

[@dustinormaggiehunter1573]

Can you tell us what the hardest thing to conserve is? My brain says maybe paintings or papers as a guess?

[@thefrenchpoet3160]

Who would dislike this?

[@JaneDoe-ci3gj]

Interesting👍😊

[@merelymayhem]

interesting video

[@thenitpicker2176]

I feel like this is their passive aggressive response to the comments. It can feel a little insulting to the experts in the field when ordinary folk try and tell them what they should do like they know better.

[@seancoyote]

I don't think it is so much passive aggressive, as it was to just be a response to a misunderstanding. Besides, passive aggressive is more sarcastic, or resistant, or negative in some way. This was not, it was simply informative.

[@rafaelverolla7276]

Simply explaining why is in no way passive agressive, wtf.

[@fahadus]

4:47 was a nice touch, though. I thought it was a direct response to the comments on these videos. Perhaps the only passive aggressive bit.

[@kenc2257]

I've noticed that Sue Brunning DOESN'T wear her blue nitrile gloves when handling that antique(?) foam sword. Guess she's decided that gloves aren't required for foam...

[@SkYHawK2600]

Tarihi ve sanatsal değerleri muhafaza için çalışan ilk defa bi türk gördüğüm için çok mutlu oldum. Bazen kendi değerlerimize baktığımda nasıl korunduklarını görünce çok üzülüyorum.

[@nikkijaneallison]

Not all heroes wear gloves.

[@annalisette5897]

This is something I have really been wondering about. Especially I have noticed in some historic documentaries where old books and manuscripts were handled, some with gloves and some without. I wondered why, for instance, a book from Elizabethan times would be handled with gloves but a hand written manuscript from maybe the 1400's would be handled with bare hands. It never made sense as I thought acids from our fingers could destroy any paper.

[@housecat524]

Anna Morris most of the older manuscripts were vellum (animal skin) which is probably why they weren't wearing gloves.

[@dr.zoidberg8666]

We would never wear gloves while handling historical paper documents at my university. Gloves deaden your sense of touch, making you less aware of when you are & are not putting strain on the object that you're handling. For that reason, you are more likely to accidentally tear the document while handling it with gloves. Much better to thoroughly wash & dry your hands before handling the document & then handling it without gloves.

[@eliegbert8121]

interesting how almost nobody talking in the video sounded british

[@Jutte777]

2:22 .Hey we use those same gloves at work.I have to use XXL because the L 81/2 - 9 are way too small. So I am assuming that there are heaps of woman conservators...?

[@RegstarRogstar]

These people are so brave. Who knows what ancient curse they mightve caught

[@whelkschance]

Which Twitter account is associated with this KZbin channel? I can't see the clearest way to share this.

[@5Andysalive]

As with the exhibitions, the staff of the british museum also doesn't seem to have many native british people. I guess it makes sense.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

I have worked closely with Greek curators; on the whole they are a conscientious, meticulous lot, but one must be careful to avoid exposing them to music 🎶 while they work - inexplicably, they undergo a complete metamorphosis and begin breaking things.

[@maroulio2067]

Only in the tavernas of old- now plates are too expensive and only tourists think that it is okay to break plates on the floor.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Maroulio - It was a joke.

[@MrChristopher42]

Fifteen seconds in I would love to know what that item is

[@adorablegodzilla5628]

What kind of degree do you need to do art and book restoration?

[@UkuleleVillain]

How can one can train to be a conservator?

[@triumph5ta]

In the U.K. you will need a qualification from, for example, University College London (MA and MSc in Conservation) or similar qualifications from West Dean College. Basically a post-graduate qualification is required these days. Then some experience, often as an intern as part of the course.

[@melody3741]

Now i can go in the museum and touch all the objects!

[@TheVergile]

being able to touch some objects is one of the big advantages of being a conservator

[@11Kralle]

Very nice! I'd better obstain from questioning my physician why he never uses dynamite to cure me ;)

[@Mrjeffgriff]

I wonder if the people who took the artifacts from their places of origin were worried about what type of glove they had on

[@samuelslater2164]

0:17 I want that box to store my...herbs

[@tydshiin5783]

Me: I already know why Also me: I'll just watch it lmao

[@earlofsandwich2850]

I wonder how they got so skilled at handling and moving ancient priceless foreign antiquities....hmm

[@jfjoubertquebec]

Drinking game: Whenever someone says acid oils, drink a beer!

[@matthewsuico2764]

Never knew that Celine Dion actually worked at the British Museum😯

[@vacciniumaugustifolium1420]

1:06 😔

[@leifvejby8023]

That is just like working as a mechanic!

[@joshuarosen6242]

Except you don't get to use a hammer quite so much.

[@Wendy-zz5qk]

omg never thought not to wear broken or filthy gloves

[@ArcanisUrriah]

Wonder if the global glove shortage is impacting work.....

[@fisebilillah4406]

The Turkish accent is really interesting.

[@athmaid]

3:02 how does she sound 15 and 50 at the same time

[@PeterPaul175]

I really wish these videos did not have background music.

[@rosejuliette9180]

How come all your conservators are so attractive? Does it come with the job? If so can I come work for you?

[@larrisAWSOME]

All I can think about now is the mistreatment of historic fire arms by meusems. And it's not even related to this video.

[@elfarlaur]

Dr. Camurcuoglu has such a sexy accent

[@ianwallace3192]

I bet these people are really good at getting the crust out of their eyes.

[@terrortorn]

So basically unless dealing with poison or filth it just isn't that important. Just ike everyone elses consideration of handling objects.

[@sersarsor]

wow she's an Orsini!

[@jjjthe_dark7260]

didn't even apply a facing layer of washi koso smh...

[@MTMMoonlight]

Look your search history you will find vs .png 😂 the most used png of all time. I have used it my self 😉

[@Hedgpig]

Why don't you just wrap every object in gloves?

[@ankhailick]

depends on the object supported by The National Lottery :pikachu face: