conservation treatment

Conservation treatment can take form in a variety of methods including cleaning, reproducing pieces for areas of loss, or in-painting. It is the second step in our conservation cycle.

Our conservation cycle:

What happens during conservation treatment?

Upon completing an assessment and receiving approval for a treatment proposal, the treatment can begin on an object or collection. Treatment is all dependent on the needs of the object itself based on its condition.

Sculpture restoration: Bronze, stone, metal, or marble sculptures may require:

Filling cracks or minor breaks to restore the integrity of the structure
New wax coatings or lacquer
Cleaning of the sculpture to remove dust, dirt, and grime
Creating replacement pieces for areas of loss
Removal of mold or soot from water or smoke damage

Painting restoration: Oil paintings or paintings of other medium may need:

Careful surface cleaning
In-painting for ares of paint loss
Removal of mold from water or poor storage
Removal of soot from fire damage
Repair of tears or other canvas damage
Gilding on frames or general frame repair

Artifacts and objects: Cultural heritage pieces, furniture, military objects, historic vehicles, or a variety of other artifacts may require:

Replacement parts created for areas of loss
Cleaning to remove grime, dirt, or soot
Re-humidification of textiles
In-painting for areas of loss in decorative paint

Depending on the nature of the piece, occasionally it is preferred to have an elongated research stage prior to treatment in order to clarify any outstanding questions about materials, origins, etc. During this time there might be analysis of paint, consulting with other professionals, researching materials needed to complete the project, or testing of treatment methods.