Conservation and restoration

Conservation of art and historic objects protects both materials and the information they carry. ICOM-CC uses conservation as an umbrella term that includes restoration. Making an antique look new is therefore not necessarily the objective.

Different aims

Preventive conservation reduces risks through suitable storage, handling and packing. Remedial conservation may stabilise a damaged or deteriorating object. Restoration helps people appreciate, understand or use a stable object while respecting its original material. It may alter appearance. A single intervention can serve more than one purpose.

For furniture, Denmark's National Museum emphasises preserving original construction and surfaces. Old paint or finishes should therefore be examined before sanding or repainting is considered. A standard method may not suit every object, even when materials look similar.

Before clearance or sale

Record condition with photographs, previous repairs and known treatments. A professional investigation may cover history, material analysis, treatment decisions and a report advising on future storage. Use an object inventory to keep the information together. Postpone home treatments when a surface or material has not been identified.

As a practical example, photograph a painted chest with flaking paint before handling loose parts or proposing refurbishment. Keep detached parts and seek advice. Assessing conservation needs and obtaining an OBA valuation serve different purposes. If contents are to be cleared, arrange an assessment or site visit before work begins.