Object Conservation

The objects conservation laboratory is responsible for the treatment and preservation of three-dimensional artifacts from a variety of media.  The laboratory is equipped to treat objects of ceramic, glass, metal, stone, plaster, and plastic, as well as organic materials such as wood, leather, basketry, fur, and feathers.   From archaeological and ethnographic artifacts to furniture and decorative art objects, conservators stabilize pieces and bring them closer to their original appearance.  Object treatments commonly include surface cleaning and consolidation, joining of breaks, filling and retouching of losses, and in the case of metalwork, corrosion removal and stabilization.  The ICA objects department also specializes in the treatment of outdoor sculptures.

In addition to the above, the objects department offers the following services:

• Removal of insect infestation in individual works
• Construction or alteration of display mounts and storage containers
• On-site projects and collection surveys