Reveal
Questions to a furniture conservator
What is the oldest thing you have worked on?
I worked on an oak coffer dating from the 1200’s.
What is the largest thing you have worked on?
A 12.5 metre Native American totem pole from the Hiada Nation, from Queen Charlotte Island, Vancouver. It is now standing in pride of place in the Atrium of the World Museum Liverpool.
Do you use power tools?
Only where it doesn’t do damage to an artefact. So yes, but sparingly.
What other materials have you worked with apart from wood?
Nearly all materials have been combined with wood, including stone, most metals including precious metals, glass, porcelain, pottery, plaster (gesso), plastics, leathers, textiles. Name a material and it has probably been used with wood. Apart from seating, grasses have been used in marquetry (inlaid work in wood). Do you know that celluloid was used in furniture almost as soon as it was invented? The late Victorian and Edwardian furniture use a white form of this as an inlay instead of ivory or bone.
What sort of varnish should I use?
This question can’t be answered simply. There are so many different varnish products used throughout the history of furniture making. I would need to know the age of the object, what the object is and then I would need to look at it and probably do some simple tests. Even then I could be wrong. Do not attempt to guess yourself; this is an area when you do need an expert. To find out more about how to care for your object, make an opinion service appointment with a furniture conservator.
What sort of glue would I use to mend a chair or table?
This again is a difficult area without a quick satisfactory answer. There are so many glues on the market and some are very specific in usage. An old object will have traditional glues that aren’t always that simple to use. To find out more about how to care for your object, make an opinion service appointment with a furniture conservator.
How do I treat woodworm?
It all depends on the object and how fragile it is. There are many treatments, chemical, heat, and cold. We use a freezing technique at the centre. To find out more about how to care for your object, make an opinion service appointment with a furniture conservator. Please do not bring an object with suspected pest infestation into our building - always talk to a conservator over the phone first .
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