Explore / Articles   Cleaning the Parian bust of Clytie  When
manufactured, this Parian bust of Clytie was intended to look
like marble. However, over time, the bust had acquired a dingy
brown appearance from atmospheric pollutants. In such cases,
steam cleaning is a method used by conservators to remove
ingrained dirt from robust ceramics.  The steam cleaner heats
water until steam is produced through a fine nozzle. The
intensity and pressure of the steam can be controlled. However,
objects with fugitive paint or gilding are not usually cleaned
this way as the pressure can cause damage to the decoration. The
bust of Clytie had no surface decoration and so steam cleaning
was considered an appropriate way of removing the dirt. During
cleaning, absorbent tissue was used to mop up excess water
created by the steam coming into contact with the ceramic
surface. To help the cleaning process, the conservator brushed a
mild, dilute detergent on the surface to dislodge the grime
further. The detergent was thoroughly r