Greetings from the Hosts

It is with great excitement that we invite you to join us in Helsinki, Finland from September 5-9 for Metal 2022, the Interim Meeting of the ICOM-CC Metals Working Group.
Ring, gilded silver. KM40231:1
Ring, gilded silver. KM40231:1
Header image: KM40231:1
Ring, gilded silver
Early 1500s, Middle Ages – Early Modern Period
The Golgata theme is depicted on the head of the ring: Jesus on the cross with Virgin Mary and Apostle John standing by the cross. Leaf embellishment.
Picture: Conservation Division, National Museum of Finland

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the ICOM-CC Metals Working Group and conference organizing committee, and after more than two years of uncertainty and isolation, we are very pleased to announce that Metal 2022 is going full steam ahead as a hybrid meeting with both safe in-person and virtual attendance options! Join us at the spectacular Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Helsinki’s harbor from September 5-9, 2022.

For the very first time in the history of our Working Group, virtual attendance will be offered for those who will not be able to travel to Helsinki. The live-streamed and recorded virtual component is a wonderful addition and we hope it will serve as a model to expand outreach and access to the Metals Working Group community worldwide.

Conference registration is open and ticketed events (conference dinner and day trips) are also available in the webshop. The early bird registration deadline is June 15! Space at the conference venue is limited, so register today!

The conference program will be a dynamic ensemble of paper and poster presentations by leading voices in our field, including Young Conservation Professionals. An overarching theme of Sustainability in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage will reflect on current professional and personal priorities and will include a keynote presentation and a panel discussion exploring what this means to our community. More details about the program will be available soon.

An outstanding social program will include an opening reception, conference dinner, tours to local conservation labs and the National Museum of Finland, a farewell reception, and two post-conference day trips to choose from. Pre-conference workshops will be announced shortly.

We are very excited to celebrate the 10th Interim Meeting of the Metals Working Group in Finland and hope to see you in Helsinki in September!

Kind regards,

Liisa Näsänen (Program Chair) Eero Ehanti and Heikki Häyhä

Signed by Liisa Näsänen
Liisa Näsänen
Signed by Eero Ehanti
Eero Ehanti
Signed by Heikki Häyhä
Heikki Häyhä

Paul Mardikian
Coordinator of the Metals Working Group

Signed by Paul Mardikian
Paul Mardikian
A ring-hilted sword and X-ray
A ring-hilted sword (KM 11002:5) rusted inside a wooden scabbard with bronze mountings was found in an inhumation burial from Pappilanmäki in Eura. It has been dated to the end of the 7th century. The gilded bronze parts of the hilt have been decorated with animal motives elongated into intertwined ribbons and tendrils, this decoration style is called Salin II.
Picture and x-ray: Conservation Division, National Museum of Finland.