Now that we are in the second half of 2017, we thought we would showcase some of our favourite conservation case studies of 2017 so far. In the top 5 we have a few challenges, puzzles and some incredibly delicate pieces being restored for the first time in decades. If you have a conservation project that you would like to share with us, tag us on Twitter with a link!
1. Behind the scenes in Conservation: Pottery Puzzle
Where: The Cincinnati Art Museum
Why: This is a short but interesting behind the scenes look at repairing a 9th century plate. This case study is particularly interesting as the plate has been in the lab on a few occasions and has been found to have a staggering number of fragments. Where did they begin?
View Article Here
2. Conservation of the wall paintings by Vlaho Bukovac at Bukovac House
Where: Bukovac House, Cavtat
Why: This fascinating article details how the evaporation of salt accumulated in the structure of the walls has destroyed the painted wall surfaces and the processes the conservation team went through to restore this work of art, painted in 1871.
View Article Here
3. Thinking outside the box at West Dean
Where: West Dean College
Why: We love seeing studies from student conservators at West Dean. Here we have a detailed account of the challenges, problem solving and careful restoration of a nineteenth-century travelling box for a french carriage clock.
View Article Here
4. Spring-cleaning India’s most magnificent tent
Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Rajasthan
Why: High up in Mehrangarh Fort, a small team of conservators is dusting down India’s most magnificent tent, as tall as a double decker bus. The team are armed with pockets full of soft brushes to undertake this delicate clean, the first proper clean the tent has had in more than three centuries.
View Article Here
5. Installation of three tapestries in the King’s room at Knole
Where: The Kings Room, Knole House
Why: Often the spaces conservators have to work in can add additional obstacles to a project. The team working on this tapestry installation at The King’s Room at Knole not only had a limited time to complete the installation but also had very limited space to work in. See how they managed.
View Article Here