conservation

advice & treatment

treatment & research

Diagnosing vulnerabilities in an object or group of objects is a very important and often time-consuming part of preventive conservation and treatment. A survey and/or condition report usually sets these out. Based on this, preventive and treatment programmes are proposed.

The research continues throughout a preventive or conservation treatment. Every restoration is also a learning opportunity for a conservator. A treatment generates and tests new insights. Conservators closely monitor every step of the process and often adjust condition assessments, conservation procedures and restoration treatments as work progresses. Some projects are carried out in stages, with decision-making points agreed in advance. New insights gained during treatment can lead to changes in the conservation strategy or the need for further diagnostic research.