by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

3/23/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

After removing all the old adhesive and over paint, we revealed several areas of loss to the painted scene on the glazed surface. This loss was likely caused by the same incident that damaged the foot causing the piece to break into multiple fragments.

by Obie Linn, Associate Conservator of Textiles

3/2/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Palampore , South Asian Art , textile conservation

Are you a pal of Indian textiles? Then be sure to see the palampore currently on display in the South Asian Gallery!

by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

2/23/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

While cleaning and conserving our Jain shrine, we discovered several layers of paint from different periods of its history. The carved wooden designs would have been repainted several times during its use as a devotional object.

by Obie Linn, Associate Conservator of Textiles

2/2/2023

conservation , CAMConservation , behind the scenes , objects conservation , Kehinde Wiley , vintage dress

Getting beautiful objects on display is a multi-stage process that often includes a stop (or several!) in Conservation. This week we installed some new objects in the Forecourt Gallery of the museum, including this child’s dress.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

1/26/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

We are working on conserving a new piece of the shrine—which is cleaning up very well—revealing beautiful bright red and yellow pigments underneath the coating.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Objects Conservator

12/21/2022

CAMConservation , behind the scenes , object conservation

Many of the carved items (such as the bow held in the hand of the figure on left side of the archway) had broken and required repairs to be carried out under a microscope.

by Conservation

11/17/2022

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

This week in objects conservation: Almost 12 months from when we first started the treatment, half of the Jain shrine has been conserved, and a new batch of pieces has moved into the lab to begin treatment.

by Conservation

10/20/2022

behind the scenes , object conservation , objects conservation , CAMConservation , permanent collection

These large jars are in rough shape and are currently in the lab for some major repairs.

by Conservation

7/28/2022

CAMConservation , Jain Shrine , Reveal , objects conservation , behind the scenes

This week in objects conservation: We have finished coating removal and cleaning of one of the 44 pieces of our Jain Shrine!

by Conservation

6/30/2022

behind the scenes , object conservation , objects conservation , CAMConservation

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about their treatment progress and enjoy seeing them back in the galleries on your next visit!

by Conservation

5/12/2022

CAMConservation , textile conservation , 1920s bags , behind the scenes

This beaded bag from the 1920s is in the textile conservation lab for some stabilization where some of the beading threads were broken, but it presented a special challenge...

by Conservation

5/5/2022

behind the scenes , object conservation , CAMConservation

This week in objects conservation: In contrast to our very large Jain shrine, this week we are working on a very tiny shrine!

by

4/14/2022

CAMConservation , conservation , textiles , textile conservation , jeannehallee , behind the scenes

This silk chiffon scarf--part of a dress by designer Anna Jeanne Hallée designed in 1924—is undergoing conservation for significant loss and weakness where only shreds and threads remained around the central section.

by Conservation

4/7/2022

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

This week in objects conservation: We take another look at the progress being made on our 17th C Jain Shrine.

by Conservation

3/10/2022

behind the scenes , object conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

This week in objects conservation: another large architectural object has entered the conservation lab!

by Conservation

2/10/2022

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Mughal

This week in the objects conservation lab: A beautiful wooden cabinet inlaid with ivory and brass.

by Conservation

1/20/2022

CAMConservation , conservation , textile conservation , behind the scenes , tiraz textiles , weaving , eccentric wefts

It’s getting weavy weird in the textile conservation lab this week!

by Conservation

12/16/2021

behind the scenes , Nabataean art , Nabataean Shrine , stone conservation , objects conservation , archaeological conservation , CAMConservation , Nabatea

This week in objects conservation, we’re doing the finishing touches to the 100+ objects being installed in our newly renovated Ancient Middle East Gallery, opening Saturday, December 18.

by Conservation

11/18/2021

CAMConservation , conservation , textile conservation , textiles , Elizabeth Hawes , behind the scenes

We’ve come a long way on the treatment of the Elizabeth Hawes flag dress! If

by Conservation

9/15/2021

behind the scenes , object conservation , objects conservation , CAMConservation , silver conservation

In the objects conservation lab this week: we have a beautiful, though heavily tarnished, 19th C silver bowl in the lab being treated before going on display next year.

by Conservation

8/26/2021

CAMConservation , conservation , textile conservation , textiles , Elizabeth Hawes , behind the scenes

It’s time for a bath in textile conservation.

by Conservation

8/19/2021

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

In Objects Conservation: This 19th C carved wooden box is in the lab undergoing conservation before display in an upcoming reinstallation of our South Asian Art Galleries.

by Conservation

7/29/2021

CAMConservation , textile conservation , textiles , behind the scenes , interns , kente , Jane Burch Cochran

This summer, Michelle Leung has the amazing opportunity to intern here in textile conservation, funded through the generosity of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

by Conservation

7/22/2021

islamic ceramics , minaiware , ceramics conservation , behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

Catch this newly stabilized object back on display in the Islamic galleries later this year!

by Conservation

7/1/2021

CAMConservation , textile conservation , textiles , hanbok , behind the scenes , magnets , museum mounts

Woman’s folk costume, 1900-1950, Korea, glazed linen; Gift of Mrs. Charles F. Mosher, 1966.1505ab

by Conservation

6/24/2021

ceramics conservation , ceramics , islamic ceramics , Islamic Art , behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

This week in objects conservation: Anytime an object is selected for display our objects conservator assesses its condition to determine whether it is stable, or whether it needs conservation treatment before display.

by Conservation

5/27/2021

ceramics , ceramics conservation , islamic ceramics , Islamic Art , Islamic , behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

These two ceramic pieces have the same condition issues we see in many ceramic objects conserved in the early to mid 20th C.

by Conservation

4/29/2021

ceramics , ceramics conservation , islamic ceramics , Islamic Art , Islamic , behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation

This week we have a 16th C mug decorated with ships, seas, and animals.

by Conservation

4/8/2021

conservation , textiles , textileconservation , Elizabeth Hawes , behind the scenes

Precision dyeing and color-matching is an important part of textile conservation and this week, we have a dyed-to-match success to report for this silk Argentine flag from the Elizabeth Hawes Flag Dress.

by Conservation

4/1/2021

ceramics , islamic ceramics , ceramics conservation , behind the scenes , objects conservation , conservation

This week we have an 18thC Islamic ceramic vessel with beautiful underglaze decoration.