Conservation and restoration of musical instruments

Last updated
A violin in the process of being restored Violin restoration.jpg
A violin in the process of being restored

The conservation and restoration of musical instruments is performed by conservator-restorers who are professionals, properly trained to preserve or protect historical and current musical instruments from past or future damage or deterioration. Because musical instruments can be made entirely of, or simply contain, a wide variety of materials such as plastics, woods, metals, silks, and skin, to name a few, a conservator should be well-trained in how to properly examine the many types of construction materials used in order to provide the highest level or preventive and restorative conservation.

Contents

The conservation and restoration of musical instruments presents an issue that is unlike any faced elsewhere in the art world. Unlike paintings, sculptures and photographs, musical instruments are functional objects that cannot be fully appreciated through their visual aspects alone – much of their artistic value comes from the sound that they are able to produce. [1] It is because of this that before beginning any treatments, determination should be made as to whether the piece will be available for display only or if there is intention to be able to perform with the instrument, as making an instrument available for performance may require the replacement of original pieces such as strings and drumheads, thus raising ethical issues relating to how much of the original object should be replaced and to what end.

Background

Musical instrument conservation, at least by the date of the earliest reference acquired, originates from 1862 when "a letter was written by Antonio Stradivari, who not only repaired his own instruments but also those of other makers, for Count Cesare Castelbarco about how to conserve his many Stradivari instruments." [2]

There are many similarities between musical instrument conservation and art work protection. Like a conservator working to restore the color saturation of the water lilies in a Claude Monet painting, conservators should keep in mind the instrument maker's integrity when cleaning or restoring any type of musical instrument (for example, luthiers create guitars and violins for guitarists or violinists), as well as the standardized policies or ethics of art conservation. According to the Code of Ethics, "II. All actions of the conservation professional must be governed by an informed respect for the cultural property, its unique character and significance, and the people or person who created it." [3] Both art conservation and musical instrument conservation require a lot of attention to detail, patience, and respect for the item or artist(s). The conservator should also be highly trained in the medium in which these items were created. For example, wood preservation or acrylic on canvas.

In general, art works are static and not moving whereas musical instruments are basically an active art tool for producing the sounds notated on sheet music in various keys or tempos. Although some art objects may have more than one use and move periodically from its home institution to another museum on loan (besides providing cultural satisfaction), instruments are subject to: travel or wear and tear consistently due to continual playing. Musical instruments create art by producing sound because the human hand touches their skins, strings, bows, fret board or keys. Musical instruments are generally used on a regular basis, during recitals and concerts by all levels of musicians.

An instrumentalist should keep in mind how to play their instrument carefully so that they can preserve the integrity of the instrument. That being stated, each musician performs with an instrument differently, creating their own personality and take on the capabilities of that particular instrument (ex. Louis Armstrong and his trumpet). In a sense, the partnership between instrumentalist and instrument defines them both. "Players demand certain kinds of physical responses from an instrument, and players and listeners alike have certain preferences about the tone produced." [4]

Despite how long musical instruments should last, it is important to try to maintain their playable conditions as long as possible. Similarly to automobiles that have been used on a daily basis over the years, musical instruments do not sound the same or work in the same manner that they once did when they were new. Parts wear out and at times just need to be replaced. On a side note, the average lifespan of instruments depends on the classification of them: "woodwinds or brass instruments last about twenty years, while pianos last about 100 years, and string instruments for a maximum of 200 years." [5] With proper conservation techniques used on instruments, they will be able to last longer than their projected lifespans.

Some music composed during the 18th century by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was for the harpsichord, and if this music is to be historically understood it must be heard on an instrument of the original time period. The Smithsonian has maintained a harpsichord that some of the resident curators can periodically play. This can be seen via the short YouTube video entitled, "Play it Again." [6] Although these Mozart compositions could be played on a piano, they would not sound the same as a harpsichord when a musician performs the piece.

Late 19th century rosewood clarinet Rosewood Albert System Clarinet.png
Late 19th century rosewood clarinet

Environmental obligations exist for both musical instrument creators and conservators. This is because the materials used in instrument creation, like wood, can be on the endangered species list. "Many species of rosewood and ebony are endangered, but the wood is still easily purchased ... Some timbers and materials used by luthiers has legal restrictions, especially when crossing international boundaries." [5] There appears to be a mission to conserve both art or cultural artifacts and environmental conservation in the realm of musical instrument conservation.

Classification systems

In 1914, the Curt Sachs and Erich Moritz von Hornbostel's system for the Classification of Musical Instruments was created. [7] It is divided into five main sections with several subcategories. Understanding how an instrument is intended to be used and which of these categories it falls into is vital information if a conservator is to determine how a piece will need to be repaired in order for it to be safely playable. Additionally, understanding the construction of an instrument and where it is experiencing tension will help to determine the safest methods of storage.

The five main sections are defined as:

Idiophones – Idiophones are instruments that rely on the body of the instrument to create and resonate sound. Most commonly constructed of metal, a conservator will need to examine the metal for cracks and tarnish that will negatively impact the sound and structural integrity of the instrument.

  1. Concussion – Instruments that create sound when struck against a similar object such as castanets
  2. Friction – Instruments that create sound when rubbed such as a glass harp
  3. Percussion – Instruments that create sound when struck such as a triangle
  4. Plucked – Instruments that create sound when plucked such as a harp
  5. Scraped – Instruments that create sound when scraped such as a washboard
  6. Shaken – Instruments that create sound when shook such as a maraca
  7. Stamping – Instruments that create sound when stamped against a hard surface such as a tap shoes
  8. Stamped – The sound that the surface itself makes when something is stamped against it

Membranophones – Membranophones are instruments that have a membrane that is stretched over a structure, often wood or metal, and struck or rubbed to produce a sound. The subcategories are largely determined by the shape of the structure that the membrane is stretched over. For many historic membranophones to become playable again, a conservator may have ti weigh replacing the membrane of the piece.

  1. Kettle drums
  2. Tubular drums
  3. Friction drums
  4. Mirlitons – This subsection is unique to the membranophones category as it relies on air passing over the membrane, rather than it being struck. The most common example of a mirliton is a Kazoo
  5. Frame drums/Pot drums/Ground drums

Chordophones – Chordophones are instruments that use vibrating strings, which are most commonly stretched across a metal or wooden structure, to create sound. Similar to the membranes used on membranophones, the strings that are used on chordophones may need to be replaced if an instrument is to be performed with. A conservator will need to examine the structure of the instrument to see if stress cracks from the tension of the strings have begun to develop.

  1. Musical Bows
  2. Harps
  3. Lyres
  4. Lutes
  5. Zithers

Aerophones – Aerophones are instruments that require air passing through, or across, them to create sound. Most commonly constructed of wood or metal, a conservator will need to examine the innards for mold or debris that will prohibit air from passing easily through the instrument.

  1. Brasswinds – The most commonly known is the trumpet
  2. Woodwinds – The most commonly known is the flute
  3. Free-Reed – The most commonly known is the accordion
  4. Free – Free instruments are unique to the aerophone category due their reliance on air passing around the instrument, rather than through it. The most common example is a whip when it is cracked.

Electrophones – Instruments that require electricity to be amplified and heard

Preventive conservation

Richard Newman of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston calls preventive conservation the "ultimate goal" of conservation-restoration. [8] Conservators should consider the common agents of deterioration when planning the preventive conservation measures of musical instruments. [9]

Physical forces

Musical instruments are very fragile and should be handled carefully to avoid shock. Musical instruments in museums and other galleries should be safely encased. For musical instruments that "belong to a study or teaching collection, or... simply be in a drawer that experiences a great deal of in-and-out movement during examination of other specimens", [10] they are more at risk of being damaged because more people are interacting with them. Human interaction should be limited. Recommendations include:

Fire

Fire is one of the biggest natural threats to musical instrument collections. Instruments should be housed in facilities with functioning fire detectors and sprinkler systems. Wooden instruments are particularly vulnerable to fire. Museums or other institutions that have musical instruments in their collections should work with local fire stations to plan salvage procedures.

Pests

Dead-Wood Borer Moth (Scolecocampa liburna) Dead-Wood Borer Moth (Scolecocampa liburna).jpg
Dead-Wood Borer Moth (Scolecocampa liburna)

Many instruments are made of wood, therefore wood eating insects could damage them if left in a dark, damp, and drafty space. A careful way to get rid of the infestation is through "asphyxiation by carbon dioxide or nitrogen [because they] are the preferred methods, although some work still has to be done on the effects of changes in moisture content of artifacts during treatment." [10] Additionally, a conservator may choose to place an instrument in a freezer for a period of time as another method of pest eradication. Basic cleanliness of storage areas prevents larger infestations such as rats or roaches. [12]

Light

Direct sunlight is harmful to musical instruments. Light makes colors fade and also causes the rapid break down of organic materials, such as wood and membranes that are commonly used in many instruments. It is generally best not to place any artifact in a collection in direct light, whether it is natural or artificial. UV filters over windows are efficient in protecting instruments housed near natural light. [13] Artificial light should be limited to 8 foot-candles. [14] "Light damage is a commonly identified problem in collections, and is the subject of vast literature." [10]

Incorrect relative humidity

Since musical instruments are compiled of many organic materials such as: wood, metal, or plastic; it makes it difficult to preserve them if they are constantly on display in a museum. "Paper, leather, wood, natural fibers, and other organic materials absorb moisture; if they are kept in non-climate-controlled environments, serious conservation problems arise". [15] These dilemmas could include corrosion or buckling. Therefore, musical instruments should be kept in RH controlled display cases and storage areas. Areas of vulnerability include joints and adhesives. [14] Instruments that rely on the flow of air and breath are also at risk, as "...fluctuations or sudden changes in temperature or humidity may cause irreversible structural damage, especially in a woodwind, (because of warm, wet breath) or in a stringed instrument or drum, where the vibrating element is under tension". [14] Recommendations include:

Thieves and vandals

Institutions that house musical instrument collections or private collectors should be vigilant of the threat of thieves and vandals. Proper security systems should be in place, and security personnel hired to monitor any instruments housed in public places. This is particularly important if the musical instruments are still in playable condition and are played by members of the public.

Water

Water is another common natural threat to musical instruments. Flood and rain waters can compromise instruments, especially wooden instruments that can become warped and retain humidity after getting wet because they are moisture dependent. [16] Instruments made of metal or other alloy materials can also be damaged by water. The reaction of water and metal is one of the biggest issues faced by musical instrument conservators. [17] Recommendations include:

Pollutants

Pollutants are an unavoidable environmental threat, especially for musical instruments housed in urban areas. Conservators should be well versed in the pollutants in their area and how they will affect musical instrument conservation. HVAC systems should be up to date and filtering clean air. Conservators should always wear gloves to prevent oil from transferring from hands to the surface of polish or painted instruments. [18] Recommendations include:

Incorrect temperature

Instruments, whether played or not, should be kept at 68 °F (20 °C). [18] If a space is too warm, wooden instruments may retain moisture from the air and warp, which can eventually lead to cracks in the structure. Even small fissures in the wood can greatly impact the sound that the instrument is able to produce. Recommendations include:

Dissociation

Preventive conservation measures should be periodically reviewed by conservators to ensure up to date methods are being practiced.

Conservation practices

Musical instruments are often very fragile and complex objects that should be conserved both externally and internally. When deciding the course of a conservation treatment, conservators should be experts in the history of the instrument and its material. Conservators should aim to restore the instrument to its original physical form or acoustic playability in the least destructive way possible using "non destructive analytical tools". [19] Techniques such as spot treatments should be used to test the instruments reaction to particular conservation treatments in controlled areas, and technology such as CT scans and X-radiography should be used by conservators to analyze the internal mechanisms of musical instruments without invasive measures.

Conservators of musical instruments can also borrow conservation science methods from other objects to which instruments are similar. Instruments often "have moving parts or they require physical interaction to fulfill the purpose for which they were made. They have this in common with many other objects including clocks, transport vehicles, arms and armor, hand tools, domestic utensils, scientific apparatus and industrial machinery". [20]

String instruments rely on the plucking of strings to create sound. Conservators should be versed in not only the construction of the instrument itself, but also the tension levels required to maintain the ideal acoustic sound of a particular instrument. Woodwind instruments are most often constructed of wood or metal but other materials such as plastic or brass may be used as well. Since air is blown into woodwind instruments to create sound, humidity can be trapped inside instruments. This is a particular concern for wooden woodwinds. Brass instruments are made exclusively of brass. Corrosion should be the highest concern for conservators working with brass instruments. Percussion instruments are particularly vulnerable as they are instruments designed to be struck or hit in order to create sound.

Ethics and playability

Determining the playability of musical instruments can be difficult, especially in terms of the ethics of conservation-restoration. Ethical codes state that the aesthetic, historic and physical integrity of an object must to be respected. Often returning an instrument to playable condition requires modifications that cannot be readily undone, and removing unserviceable parts may also mean removing important historical evidence, such as original tool marks. Ethically, it is important to note that any techniques where the results cannot be undone should not be used in the conservation-restoration of instruments. [20] Playability depends on the overall strength of the architecture of the instrument as well as the musician's interpretation or technique of a musical score. There are always two sides to every story: those for restoring musical instruments and those that are against. One of the arguments supporting the playing of instruments is that as a condition of their inclusion in public collections they are to be played. Other times, historical instruments are tied to educational institutions and certain period music cannot be fully appreciated without the use of historical instruments. [20] On the other hand, while restoration work is done with the right intentions restoring an instrument to playable condition has proven to be detrimental to the long term preservation of instruments and is inconsistent with standards of practices for other classes of museum objects. [21] "The opponents of restoration argue that the truly authentic instrument is a reproduction of that relic, to the best of present knowledge and ability, in a state equivalent to what it was when new." "A great deal of progress could result from making a distinction between "soundability" and playability, where the former can often be achieved without any prerequisite restoration." [22] Therefore, who in the cultural artifact conservation world draws the line between "soundability" [22] and playability? Musical instruments are designed to be played, they have moving parts that are intended to be used. The integrity of an instrument includes its sound, however, playing an instrument is inherently destructive and many times attempts to return instruments to playable condition mean modifying the original in ways that are not easily undone. [20] The restoration of musical instruments is highly debated, this is due in part to the fact that notion of playability has not been defined enough. It is agreed upon that historic instruments are vital to understanding the history of music, but it is possible that reproductions may produce a more authentic sound, and a sound closer to that of the original instrument in its prime, than a restored original would sound. [23] By playing reproductions it also eliminates the debate between ethics and playability, since the reproduction is not the original instrument.

Factors for functional restoration

According to Robert Barclay, the following are a list of the top five reasons for functional restoration. First, a restoration can be completed if "the instrument is mass-produced." Second, if "the instrument has been previously restored and most ephemeral has been lost." Third, with a little bit of work from a conservator, "the instrument can easily be put into working condition." Fourth, "the original function can be reestablished." Lastly, if "the instrument is in sturdy condition," then it could be conserved. [22] Its also vital to consider functional restoration if a reproduction instrument would not produce results equivalent to what a restored instrument would produce. [23] This is very important to consider, especially if a historical instrument is tied to an educational institution.

Factors against functional restoration

Barclay also mentions some explanations for not functionally restoring musical instruments and the top five reasons are as follows. First a musical instrument should not be conserved if "the instrument is unique." Second, work should not be completed if "the original ephemeral features will be lost or altered." Third, the way the instrument could be played is unknown or "the function is obscure and unlikely to be determined as a result of restoration." Fourth, "the condition of the instrument is such that an accurate achievement of its original quality of function is unlikely." Lastly, if "the function is so well understood that no new information is likely to be gained." [22]

Functional restoration does not always align with the ethics and standards of practice of conservation-restoration. Functional restoration is generally more intrusive than basic conservation techniques, and will generally result in a greater loss of original components of the instrument. [23]

Condition reporting before and after restoration with photographs and other documentation

Similarly to the document(s) that a museum registrar might use to catalog an artifact into a collection, it is important to keep the proper paperwork during the conservation process being done on a musical instrument. (If interested, there is also an example of a museum condition report here from the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art. [24] Additionally by taking before and after camera shots, it helps to document the steps taken by the conservator (or the rest of the conservation staff) while working on an instrument and the progress made during the duration of the project. A checklist could also help conservators stay focused on the task at hand trying to restore a particular musical instrument. But each plan is different for the conservation process depending on how severely wounded the instrument in question may be.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of cultural property</span> Process of protecting cultural property

The conservation and restoration of cultural property focuses on protection and care of cultural property, including artworks, architecture, archaeology, and museum collections. Conservation activities include preventive conservation, examination, documentation, research, treatment, and education. This field is closely allied with conservation science, curators and registrars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservator-restorer</span> Professional responsible for the preservation of artistic and cultural artifacts

A conservator-restorer is a professional responsible for the preservation of artistic and cultural artifacts, also known as cultural heritage. Conservators possess the expertise to preserve cultural heritage in a way that retains the integrity of the object, building or site, including its historical significance, context and aesthetic or visual aspects. This kind of preservation is done by analyzing and assessing the condition of cultural property, understanding processes and evidence of deterioration, planning collections care or site management strategies that prevent damage, carrying out conservation treatments, and conducting research. A conservator's job is to ensure that the objects in a museum's collection are kept in the best possible condition, as well as to serve the museum's mission to bring art before the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of metals</span> Material preservation activity

Conservation and restoration of metals is the activity devoted to the protection and preservation of historical and archaeological objects made partly or entirely of metal. In it are included all activities aimed at preventing or slowing deterioration of items, as well as improving accessibility and readability of the objects of cultural heritage. Despite the fact that metals are generally considered as relatively permanent and stable materials, in contact with the environment they deteriorate gradually, some faster and some much slower. This applies especially to archaeological finds.

Conservation and restoration of movable cultural property is a term used to denote the conservation of movable cultural property items in libraries, archives, museums and private collections. Conservation encompasses all the actions taken toward the long-term preservation of cultural heritage. Activities include examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care, which is supported by research and education. Object conservation is specifically the actions taken to preserve and restore cultural objects. The objects span a wide range of materials from a variety of cultures, time periods, and functions. Object conservation can be applied to both art objects and artifacts. Conservation practice aims to prevent damage from occurring, a process known as 'preventive conservation'. The purpose of preventive conservation is to maintain, and where possible enhance, the condition of an object, as well as managing deterioration risks, such as handling and environmental conditions. Historically, object conservation was focused on the category of fine arts but now many different types of objects are conserved. Each type of object material, typically denoted by organic or inorganic then the specific medium, requires a specialized professional conservator and often requires collaborative work between museum staff, scientists, and conservators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of silver objects</span> Preservation of heritage collections

The conservation and restoration of silver objects is an activity dedicated to the preservation and protection of objects of historical and personal value made from silver. When applied to cultural heritage this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of glass objects</span>

Conservation and restoration of glass objects is one aspect of conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. The nature and varying composition of the material, and the variety of types of object made from it, demand certain specialized techniques. The conservator needs to be aware of "agents of deterioration" presenting particular risk to glass objects, and how to prevent or counteract their effects. Relevant education and training is available in certain countries through museums, conservation institutes and universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of iron and steel objects</span>

Iron, steel, and ferrous metals constitute a large portion of collections in museums. The conservation and restoration of iron and steel objects is an activity dedicated to the preservation and protection of objects of historical and personal value made from iron or steel. When applied to cultural heritage this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer. Historically, objects made from iron or steel were created for religious, artistic, technical, military and domestic uses. Though it is generally not possible to completely halt deterioration of any object, the act of conservation and restoration strives to prevent and slow the deterioration of the object as well as protecting the object for future use. One of the first steps in caring for iron is to examine them and determine their state, determine if they are corroding, and consider options for treatment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of books, manuscripts, documents, and ephemera</span> Activity to extend the life of historical materials

The conservation and restoration of books, manuscripts, documents, and ephemera is an activity dedicated to extending the life of items of historical and personal value made primarily from paper, parchment, and leather. When applied to cultural heritage, conservation activities are generally undertaken by a conservator. The primary goal of conservation is to extend the lifespan of the object as well as maintaining its integrity by keeping all additions reversible. Conservation of books and paper involves techniques of bookbinding, restoration, paper chemistry, and other material technologies including preservation and archival techniques.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation scientist</span>

A conservation scientist is a museum professional who works in the field of conservation science and whose focus is on the research of cultural heritage through scientific inquiry. Conservation scientists conduct applied scientific research and techniques to determine the material, chemical, and technical aspects of cultural heritage. The technical information conservation scientists gather is then used by conservator and curators to decide the most suitable conservation treatments for the examined object and/or adds to our knowledge about the object by providing answers about the material composition, fabrication, authenticity, and previous restoration treatments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photograph conservator</span> Professional who examines photographs

A photograph conservator is a professional who examines, documents, researches, and treats photographs, including documenting the structure and condition of art works through written and photographic records, monitoring conditions of works in storage and exhibition and transit environments. This person also performs all aspects of the treatment of photographs and related artworks with adherence to the professional Code of Ethics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of wooden furniture</span> Preservation of heritage collections

The conservation and restoration of wooden furniture is an activity dedicated to the preservation and protection of wooden furniture objects of historical and personal value. When applied to cultural heritage this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer. Furniture conservation and restoration can be divided into two general areas: structure and finish. Structure generally relates to wood and can be divided into solid, joined, and veneered wood. The finish of furniture can be painted or transparent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Textile conservator</span>

A textile conservator is a conservator-restorer charged with the care, treatment, research, and preservation of textiles. Issues addressed by a textile conservator are generally related to the field of textile preservation, and include damage caused to textiles by: light, mold and mildew, insects, cleaning, surface cleaning, washing, mounting for display, and storage. Variations in textile types and "the diversity of the textile conservator's work makes it a very rewarding profession". Textiles are among the most fragile artifacts, as they are susceptible to damage from atmospheric pollutants, moisture, biological organisms, and environmental changes and care varies with size, shape, material, and condition issues, all of which a textile conservator must be well versed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of clocks</span> Preservation of tangible objects

The conservation and restoration of clocks refers to the care given to the physical and functional aspects of time measuring devices featuring "moving hands on a dial face" exclusive of watches. Care for clocks constitutes regulating the external environment, cleaning, winding, lubrication, pest-management, and repairing or replacing mechanical and aesthetic components to preserve or achieve the desired state as specified by the owner. Clocks are typically composed of multiple types of materials such as wood, metal, paint, plastic, etc., which have unique behaviors and environmental interactions, making treatment options complex. The materials used and the complexity of clockwork warrant having a Horological Conservator complete the work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of bone, horn, and antler objects</span> Preservation of heritage collections

Conservation-restoration of bone, horn, and antler objects involves the processes by which the deterioration of objects either containing or made from bone, horn, and antler is contained and prevented. Their use has been documented throughout history in many societal groups as these materials are durable, plentiful, versatile, and naturally occurring/replenishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of paintings</span> Preservation of heritage collections

The conservation and restoration of paintings is carried out by professional painting conservators. Paintings cover a wide range of various mediums, materials, and their supports. Painting types include fine art to decorative and functional objects spanning from acrylics, frescoes, and oil paint on various surfaces, egg tempera on panels and canvas, lacquer painting, water color and more. Knowing the materials of any given painting and its support allows for the proper restoration and conservation practices. All components of a painting will react to its environment differently, and impact the artwork as a whole. These material components along with collections care will determine the longevity of a painting. The first steps to conservation and restoration is preventive conservation followed by active restoration with the artist's intent in mind.

The conservation and restoration of ancient Greek pottery is a sub-section of the broader topic of conservation and restoration of ceramic objects. Ancient Greek pottery is one of the most commonly found types of artifacts from the ancient Greek world. The information learned from vase paintings forms the foundation of modern knowledge of ancient Greek art and culture. Most ancient Greek pottery is terracotta, a type of earthenware ceramic, dating from the 11th century BCE through the 1st century CE. The objects are usually excavated from archaeological sites in broken pieces, or shards, and then reassembled. Some have been discovered intact in tombs. Professional conservator-restorers, often in collaboration with curators and conservation scientists, undertake the conservation-restoration of ancient Greek pottery.

The conservation-restoration of panel paintings involves preventive and treatment measures taken by paintings conservators to slow deterioration, preserve, and repair damage. Panel paintings consist of a wood support, a ground, and an image layer. They are typically constructed of two or more panels joined together by crossbeam braces which can separate due to age and material instability caused by fluctuations in relative humidity and temperature. These factors compromise structural integrity and can lead to warping and paint flaking. Because wood is particularly susceptible to pest damage, an IPM plan and regulation of the conditions in storage and display are essential. Past treatments that have fallen out of favor because they can cause permanent damage include transfer of the painting onto a new support, planing, and heavy cradling. Today's conservators often have to remediate damage from previous restoration efforts. Modern conservation-restoration techniques favor minimal intervention that accommodates wood's natural tendency to react to environmental changes. Treatments may include applying flexible battens to minimize deformation or simply leaving distortions alone, instead focusing on preventive care to preserve the artwork in its original state.

Objects used in Jewish rituals are known collectively as Judaica. The conservation and restoration of Judaica takes into account the collective body of Jewish religious laws derived from the written and oral Torah known as halacha in order to properly care for these materials. This work involves identifying these objects and therefore knowing how any of these objects are traditionally handled, stored, exhibited, and generally cared for based on their use and significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation of South Asian household shrines</span> Conservation of shrines in South Asia

The Conservation of South Asian household shrines is an activity dedicated to the preservation of household shrines from South Asia. When applied to cultural heritage, held by either museums or private collectors, this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer. South Asian shrines held in museum collections around the world are principally shrines relate to Hindu, Jain, or Buddhist households. Due to their original use and sacred nature, these shrines present unique conservation and restoration challenges for those tasked with their care.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of historic firearms</span> Preservation of heritage collections

The conservation and restoration of historic firearms is preventative care, damage repair, stabilization, replacement of missing components, and potentially the return of the firearm to firing capabilities. It requires an understanding of the different types of historic firearms and knowledge in the care and treatment of organic and inorganic materials, as firearms are composed of many types of materials, from wood to metal, that are fitted together.

References

  1. ↑ Karp, J.S. Odell. "The Care of Historic Musical Instruments" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  2. ↑ Pollens, Stewart (2010). Stradivari. online. p. 279. ISBN   9780521873048 . Retrieved 27 April 2015.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ↑ "Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice". American Institute for Conservation of Historic Works and Artistic Works. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  4. ↑ Appelbaum, Barbara. Conservation Treatment Methodology. Elsevier. p. 145.
  5. 1 2 Robb, Arthur. "Conservation and Musical Instrument Making". Arthur Robb- Luthier. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  6. ↑ Smithsonian. "Play it Again". Youtube. December 10, 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Estrella, Espie. "Classification of Musical Instruments: the Sachs-Hornbostel System" . Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  8. ↑ Newman, Richard (2011). Conservation and Care of Museum Collections. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts Boston. p. 127.
  9. ↑ Canadian Conservation Institute (2017-09-14). "Agents of deterioration". Government of Canada. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 Barclay, Robert L. "The Care of Historic Musical Instruments". International Council of Museums. Archived from the original on 20 November 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Long, Jane & Richard (2000). Musical Instruments. Abrams, NY: Heritage Preservation. pp. 106–113.
  12. ↑ Shelley, Marjorie (1987). The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 18.
  13. ↑ Staniforth, Sarah (2012). "Historical and Current Perspectives on the Care, Presentation, Interpretation and Use of Collections in Historic Houses". The Artifact and Its Context and Their Narrative: Multidisciplinary Conservation in Historic House Museums.
  14. 1 2 3 Shelley, Marjorie (1987). The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 16.
  15. ↑ Lamb, Andrew (1995). "To Play or Not to Play: The Ethics of Musical Instrument Conservation". V&A Conservation Journal. 15: 12–15. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  16. ↑ Buchur, Voichita (2016). Handbook of Materials for String Musical Instruments. Springer International Publishing. p. 122.
  17. ↑ Storch, P.S. (2001). "Caring for musical instruments: Part 2". Minnesota History Interpreter: 4. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  18. 1 2 Shelley, Marjorie (1987). The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 17.
  19. ↑ Gates, G.A. (2014). "Discovering the material secrets of art: Tools of cultural heritage science". American Ceramic Society Bulletin. 93 (7): 20–17.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Lamb, Andrew. (1995). "To Play or not to Play: the ethics of musical instruments conservation" V&A Conservation Journal no 15. Retrieved from http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/journals/conservation-journal/issue-15/to-play-or-not-to-play-the-ethics-of-musical-instrument-conservation
  21. ↑ Barclay, Robert L. "The Care of Historic Musical Instruments" (PDF). Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Barclay, Robert L. "The Care of Historic Musical Instruments" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  23. 1 2 3 Barclay, Robert L. "The Care of Historic Musical Instruments" (PDF). Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  24. ↑ "Condition Report Form" (PDF). The Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.