Argyll based Fyne Conservation Services is in the running for an Anna Plowden Research and Innovation award thanks to its solving of a longstanding problem with colour changes in glazed ceramics after restoration.

Conservation scientist, Professor Norman Tennent, made good use of a project and marketing grant from HIE Argyll and the Islands and an EU innovations support grant to develop a new a range of dyes and fillers to be used in the repair and restoration of damaged works of art.

Teaming up with Dr Jim Nobbs, head of colour chemistry and polymers at the University of Leeds, they tackled the issue of 'metamerism' - a phenomenon in the conservation of ceramics where two colours appear to be the same under one set of lighting conditions, but look completely different under others. 

Conservators often find that replaced areas of missing glaze are invisible under everyday lighting conditions but become very obvious under display lighting. This gives rise to one of the most troublesome, widespread problems in the conservation of glazed ceramics. 

"The problem also occurs during photography for museum catalogues and other publications where carefully restored areas can appear very obvious, even when not previously invisible to the naked eye," said Professor Tennent. 

"Dr Nobbs provided the colour science measurements for a range of pigments and ceramic glazes, particularly the most problematic blue glazes. More than thirty objects from private and museum collections, including the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, were examined.

"We then adapted a computer programme for colour match prediction in the dye and pigment industry that allowed us to categorise pigments best suited for ceramic conservation work.

Colin McLean, development manager at HIE Argyll and the Islands said: "We are delighted that Fyne Conservation Services has been shortlisted for this UK innovation award. 

"The development of this ground-breaking piece of science could only have been accomplished by collaboration between conservation professionals and academia, by enabling technology transfer from industry to conservation.

"It is quite an achievement for a Scottish small business to be selected as one of only three finalists in this national event."

The winner will be decided on the 26 September in an awards ceremony at the British Museum.

Details of the awards can be found online at The Institute of Conservation who are organising the event.