Antiques restoration

From ArticleWorld

Antiques restoration refers to either the practice of restoring an antique or work of art to a nearly new condition. It is also the practice of preserving an antique or work of art against future deterioration or damage.

Restoration is a term often used by dealer and collectors alike, while conservation is the preferred terminology and methodology in museums and similar cultural institutions.

Restoration

Restoration might be as simple as light cleaning to remove disfiguring dirt or grime, such as on the face surface of a painting. it may also include near complete rebuilding or replacement, as might be the case with old automobiles or pieces of furniture.

This is often done in preparation for sale, or by a collector upon acquiring a brand new piece. the primary goal of restoration is to "restore" the original appearance and functionality of a piece.

Finishes might be stripped and resurfaced, engines might be rebuilt with new parts if necessary, or holes in a silver pot might be repaired. While some of these practices are frowned upon by many museums, scholars, and other noted experts. Too many people there is very little value in an antique that is unusable or undisplayable.

Restorers

Restorers are often trained crafts masters, such as furniture makers, mechanics, engineers, or metal smiths. Some have years of experience in their respective fields, others are self-taught journeyman.

Many of the antique aircrafts around the United States are restored by trained aircraft engineers who are assisted by volunteers. some of these volunteers are men who flew those very same aircraft years ago.

Conservation

In retrospect, conservation typically aims to preserve the remaining material as being worthy or valuable on its own merits. They don't necessarily need to be functional or looking new.

There are several specific criteria for what work is necessary and how far to take any work performed. The key one, is the object (book, painting, car, etc.) meant to be actively a deteriorating piece? Slowing or stopping deterioration and eliminating or mitigating the root cause is the foremost task of the conservator.

To this end, conservators are usually specialize in the science of materials and chemistry, as well as art history, archaeology, geology, and other disciplines related to their respective areas of expertise.