The Objects, Antiques, and Sculpture Department determines the best course of treatment to restore pieces while maintaining the cultural and historical significance of each object, ensuring its long-term preservation.
The Objects, Antiques, and Sculpture conservators have a broad knowledge of materials and fabrication techniques. This department treats antiques, family heirlooms, ethnographic pieces, and fine art objects made from materials including, but not limited to: stone, ivory, wood, ceramic, glass, and metal.
Due to the wide range of materials used, the treatments employed by the object conservators range in complexity, from simple surface cleanings to the repair and reconstruction of shattered ceramics.
Past conservation treatments include the restoration of models of historic battleships, fabrication of missing handles on a Qianlong dynasty vase, and recreating the missing marquetry of a Boulle clock.
The Object and Sculpture conservators often collaborate with The Center’s Antique Framing and Custom Framing Display Departments to construct specially-made mounts and UV-filtering vitrines to house and display pieces.
“A huge thank you to The Conservation Center’s staff for the superb job on the conservation on our Kutani bowl. I kept looking at it throughout the day, and couldn’t believe it was the same bowl I brought to you in many, many pieces a few months ago. I never expected the repairs and inpainting to be so seamless with the original.”
marisol
Marisol was an artist whose worked changed drastically over the course of her career, as she worked in an astonishingly wide range of mediums. When this early, more intimate work came to The Center for treatment, we knew it was special.
Sol Le Witt
The Center’s conservators have become familiar with LeWitt’s work after conserving dozens of his works over the years. Our most recent interaction with the artist’s work was the treatment of his piece, “1 2 3 4 5 (Vertical),” a painted aluminum sculpture with a steel base.
