by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

9/14/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

If you’ve been following our Conservation blog posts, you may have seen several updates as we carried out treatment over the past two years.

by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

5/18/2023

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

The treatment on our Jain Shrine is (finally!) nearing completion!

by Kelly Rectenwald, Associate Objects Conservator

4/20/2023

CAMConservation , Celadon Glaze , Chinese bowl , Marine life , Saltwater , objects conservation

This fifteenth-century Chinese ceramic bowl presents some intriguing features that tell a fascinating story of its past. Shells and barnacles cover the bowl’s surface. These unusual attachments are commonly seen on objects that have spent time in ocean environments, in this example, possibly the result of a shipwreck.

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 , Jain Shrine

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 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

4/7/2022

behind the scenes , objects conservation , CAMConservation , Jain Shrine

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

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

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

10/14/2021

objects conservation , object conservation , CAMConservation , ceramics conservation , archaeological conservation

Catch this object on view later this year when our Nabatean collections return to the galleries.

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

8/19/2021

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

7/22/2021

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

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

4/1/2021

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

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

by Conservation

3/4/2021

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

This week in objects conservation: this 16th century Iznik plate is in the lab receiving treatment.

by Conservation

2/4/2021

behind the scenes , Nabataean art , stone conservation , objects conservation , archaeological conservation , petra

The lab is full of architectural stones as we get ready to reinstall our Nabataean galleries.

by Conservation

1/7/2021

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

This bowl, from Iraq, is a beautiful example of lusterware. Luster is an iridescent effect produced by metallic oxides in the overglaze.

by Conservation

11/19/2020

behind the scenes , conservation , stone conservation , archaeological conservation , objects conservation

This stone relief dates to 883-859 BCE and depicts a divine figure wearing a horned headdress.

by Conservation

10/22/2020

behind the scenes , objects conservation , decorative arts , art conservation , gilding conservation , aluminum leaf , conservation

This week in objects conservation we return to the 1920’s Paul Theodore Frankl mirror. The aluminum leaf on the base and frame is easily abraded and during its use, suffered from normal wear and tear.

by Conservation

9/24/2020

ceramics conservation , objects conservation , conservation

This ceramic lion has been in the lab getting ready for an upcoming gallery rotation, meaning when a group of works from our permanent collection are ‘rotated’ onto view in a gallery.

by Conservation

7/22/2020

objects conservation , lacquered box , hidden objects , conservation , behind the scenes , conservation internship

The objects conservation lab is happy to welcome summer intern Nicole Schmidt, a graduate student from the Garman Art Conservation Department at SUNY Buffalo State in her third year of training.