PORTFOLIO
These are examples of completed projects with 'Before' and 'After' photographs. The treatments were completed to the level requested by the client. The following projects exemplify the types of materials that are repaired by Beaux Arts Conservation. The descriptions give basic information about the treatments performed, but a detailed report of the treatment was provided to the client upon completion of the project. To read the in-depth reports, please click on the button in the description. Institutions and the owners names have been omitted to protect their privacy. Though permission was granted to use the reports and images for research and advertising, they may not be reproduced without permission.
Roman Burial Urn, 1st c. AD
The urn was found at an archaeological site in the 1960s and was in the collection of a museum in southern England. The material was friable and soft, similar to terra cotta. The previous repair had failed and had to be removed. As can be the case with archaeological objects, losses are not filled so that the original piece can be understood in it's entirety. The urn was reconstructed and given two removable fills for structural support (see detailed images below).
Roman Glass Vessel, 1st c. AD
This Roman-era archaeological glass vessel had previous repair that had failed and become discolored. The glass was 2mm thick and very delicate with areas pulled out of alignment. The old adhesive was removed and the stress fractures secured. The remaining pieces were reconstructed. Because it was an archaeological piece, no fillwork was added.
16th c. Majolica Albarello
An albarello was a jar typically used to store medicines or precious herbs. This example is majolica, a type of glaze that allows for exceptional translucency and depth. The albarello was a group project undertaken by students at West Dean College for the Courthauld Institute of Art in London, England. The jar had extensive previous repair, including unsightly blue fills. The decision was made to remove all of the fills, but not to refill the large areas where the original pattern could not be determined. Areas where the pattern could be followed were filled and painted to match the surrounding areas.
Meissen Porcelain Clock
Two putti on the clock had broken wings. One wing was missing, the other had been previously repaired and had been broken again. Ultraviolet light was used to determine the extent of the damage. A mold was taken of an existing wing, fabricated, and painted to look like the other wings, matching color and sheen.
20th c. Wilton Ware Plate
The plate was brought in for repair by a private collector. The plate is from the 1920s and is an example of English Orientalism. The plate was broken into four pieces. The piece was reconstructed, and small losses, including raised enamel and gold areas, were filled and painted to match the surrounding areas.
Green Glass Box
The glass box had a 5" section of glass missing. The brass bezel had to be removed, and the glass was fabricated using tinted epoxy. The bezel was then reseated with plaster. Unfortunately, glass repairs almost always show and the repair is more obvious in some areas. However, the lid is stable and is on display in a local museum.
18th c. Japanned Papier-Mâché Tray
The tray was made by pressing several layers of paper into a mold and then painting it with several layers of a black lacquer. The tray broke at the edges where it is carried due to the thinness of the paper and failing repairs at these points. The tray was repaired with fills of Japanese paper, acrylic emulsions, and acrylic paint.
Federal Gilt Wood Mirror
The mirror had several stress cracks, losses to the paint, and a missing wingtip. The cracks were secured to prevent further cracking. The wingtip was fabricated, losses were filled, and all of the areas were touched in with metallic pigments to match the surrounding areas.
19th c. Meiji Ivory Okimono attributed to Gyokuzan
The carving depicts the story of the Hagoromo, a winged robe worn by the tenyo that is stolen by a fisherman. The adhesive from the previous repair had darkened and failed. The old repair was removed and the existing pieces were reconstructed. Structural losses were filled, but due to the history of the piece, no fabrications were added.