Museum of London curators say the tricky conservation of a 1st century amphora has gone to plan

© West Dean College, www.westdean.org.uk

© West Dean College, www.westdean.org.uk

A 1st century Roman amphora has been split into 126 fragments by an expert from the Conservation Office of the government of Hong Kong, leaving London Bridge Underground Station for the first time in 15 years as part of a skilful cleaning operation.Discovered before the extension of the Jubilee Line in 1999, the amphora was tended to during a change to its display area overseen by the Museum of London.Ronnie Kam, a Ceramics Conservationist, found discolouration in the lines and fills of the ancient vessel, despite declaring its bonds “structurally sound”.“The amphora was a 3D puzzle that required a lot of thinking and meticulous documentation,” she said.“I have a passion for fine detail and scientific research so being project team leader was another area of training for me.“When I return to working with museums this will help me in advising curators.”Jackie Keily, a Curator at the museum, said the relic had been bolstered by its temporary move to West Dean in Chichester.“As can be imagined, it had become rather dirty after its years of display in an underground station,” she pointed out.“It is wonderful to see it now looking so much better.”