Venetian Glass Menorah

Conservation

Materials: purple fused glass with specks of gold, copper, silver, and nine metal candle holders

A purple fused glass menorah (5 ⅝” tall and 8 ³⁄₁₆” wide) with nine metal candle holders. The individual pieces were originally adhered with a weak water-based adhesive which resulted in the parts detaching every time it was cleaned. When it arrived at Nzilani’s studio, the base was no longer connected to the top part. 

After placing it in lukewarm filtered water, the adhesive dissolved and the remaining parts were dismantled. All components were then dried, and the remaining residue from the adhesive was removed with acetone and cotton swabs. The menorah was then reassembled piece by piece using a strong museum grade glass epoxy. To ensure the epoxy spread into every gap between the glass pieces, the menorah was nestled at various angles in a box of fine sand, while supported by strips of tape. After curing for 72 hours, the completed menorah was cleaned and photographed.