Given that Historic Art and Antiques are old, and sometimes very fragile, would you kindly offer your own views on the following questions?
o- What are your views on acceptable levels of conservation to a work of Art or an Antique?
o- What would you consider to be acceptable methods of conservation in your specific area of expertise?
o- How best to inform a potential client of conservation to a work of Art / Antique?
Thank you very much for your input.
Clyde Terry
December 26, 2011
An antique should be conserved by a professional who has insight into how the item was originally made in order to preserve the item to correct standards. It is important that old tools are used and that in the case of art correct oils ect. Preservation is what museums have done for centuries and antique dealers should feel confident to do the same however cheap labour does not buy preservation. Conservation of antiques and art is critical and looking after these items for future generations as the custodians now we must make sure we do it properly and that in no way the value of the item is lost but rather enhanced.
http://www.clydeon4th.co.za
Corinne Cain
December 29, 2011
You describe the conservation (if online) in detail and price it in recognition of that conservation.
http://www.savvycollector.com/
Peter May
December 29, 2011
What are the risks and rewards?
Is it better to just “leave enough alone”?
http://www.artstogrow.org
Elliot
December 29, 2011
Hi Peter, Thank you for your question. Most antiques do need restoration / conservation of some sort. If a piece turns up and is ‘ Barn Fresh’ to the market, it normally looks like it has come out of barn.
Among other things, I sell good quality silver photograph frames that sometimes need a new back / leg. I replace these backs using victorian wood and cover the wood with genuine victorian satin-velvet material. The replaced back looks identical to the original back. When I tell a client the lengths to which I have gone to restore a back, and get one of these frames back into shape, sharing this information actually helps with the sale.
On most occasions to ”leave enough alone” just won’t do, as an item might remain unsaleable due to neccesary restoration. Would you buy a Regency table with three legs? Moreover, would you want to know if a leg had been replaced? How would you feel if you found out at a later date that a leg had been replaced, and you were not told at time of purchase?
Sarah Lowenguard
December 29, 2011
As early and as thoroughly as possible. Any good conservator will include at least one report to the owner; this should include a description of the work undertaken and the reason why it was done. It will probably include images and describe the materials and techniques used in the conservation process.
The conservation community believes this information is an integral part of the history and provenance of the object, and it is documentation that can explain much, and save much time, in the future. I do know that some dealers “lose” the documentation in an effort to pass off a work as untouched.
But, on a purely practical level, the best way to inform a client is affected by the object (old master? emerging artist? something in between?), the type and quantity of work undertaken, and your relationship with this person.
If you need language to explain to a client why conservation work was necessary, or why A was done but not B–if. for example, you don’t have the report(s) or have more questions, contact the person who performed the work, or an appropriate professional society of conservators.
http://www.researchandwriting.net/
Eileen Weiss
December 29, 2011
We try and let our customers know of any imperfection that we have found on an item. The auction houses only post a few pictures of the item where we post up to 9 and will gladly send more to the potential buyer. Auction houses cannot form a rapport with their customers. We have made some great friends through our internet shop, not only do they return and buy more but we feel that they are part of our Timber Hills family.
Porcelain and Pottery are our specialties so we are aware of the issues that they have. Other items like paintings, glass etc. we do our best in describing accurately the flaws, if any, in our on line description of the item. When selling over the internet colors can look very different in person then they do on monitors which can cause a problem. If we ship an item and our customers do not like it they can return it no matter what the reason is. Bottom line is the customer is always right!!! Auction houses do not feel this way.
http://www.timberhillsantiques.com/
Andy Blundell
December 29, 2011
As a BAFRA and ICON accredited furniture conservator there is a fine line between restoration and conservation, as long as the minimum is done and the emphasis is based only sympathic restoration, it’s fine. .In the past 24 years of working in restoration and conservation i have only ever seen a couple of piece’s which have been untouched but they have come to me because they need restoration. The problem is that the trade have a terrible habbit of lableing pieces as ‘found in oringinal condition’ but dont tell the customer its just had 4K spent on restoration. It’s another area we have to educate the public to understand the truth and to stop believing the stories of Lovejoy style antiques dealers of the past who are slowly dying off thankfully.
Exhibitors
December 29, 2011
Andy
How would you suggest the trade approaches the subject of conservation / restoration with a potential client?
Steven Lalioff
December 29, 2011
By handing them a portfolio of photos, before, during and after restoration/conservation as well as a written report penned by the conservator that lists the materials and procedures applied to the object. 100% honesty.
http://www.lalioff.com/
Eric Guenther
December 29, 2011
We keep examples of art and other items that have not been properly maintained. For frame artwork it’s easy to show what non-conservation does to the art. Fading, acid leaching, spotting are all evident. We are sure to let customers know that UV glazing does not mean you can display art in harsh conditions or bright light. We education they how to examine their work to ensure all is well.
For paintings, we have numerous photos of the cleaning and restoration project which help them to understand what to looking for and the benefit of maintenance.
For Antiques, again we have photos showing the damage caused by the lack of good conservation protection.
For us, examples show what the words cannot. Moth eaten fabric, loss of color and depth, corrosion and the like tell the real story.
http://www.guenthergallery.com
The Busy Beaver
December 29, 2011
This business has bought and sold through many of the English antique auction companies. The smaller auction firms have a trade organization and have written rules about resolving disputes. These people, in my opinion, are trying to do the correct thing.
The major English auction companies do not belong to any organizations. Their contracts and conditions of sales have been polished and re-polished so that neither a vendor or a buyer has any rights.
With all of the expertise that the London auction houses supposedly have, one of the largest departments is the legal department. They are effective. It is extremely difficult to find a lawyer/solicitor/any assistance in attempting to resolve a dispute. Experience has shown that these commissions salesman first (only) obligation is to move product.
Regardless of what has been promised, your supposed relationship with even a director of the Corporation, whatever promises have been made are absolutely worthless. Only the contract which you have signed is valuable.
If something goes wrong, it is your false representations about the items delivered. The department experts will twist everything and will be backed up by an extremely strong legal department.
For a business which generally makes 20% on each side of the sale and guarantees nothing there is a completely different mindset from the independent antique dealer who was looking for a long-term win-win relationship.
When reading the ads about why you should choose one of the major London auction houses, take all of that propaganda/advertising with about as much seriousness as you would take the advice from a used car dealer.
Harvey S.
Sweden
John Fiske
December 30, 2011
I mention all restorations (whether by me, or done earlier,) on my labels and on my price-tag descriptions. And, of course, most importantly, on my sales receipts. I have had many customers say how much they like this, and have never, to the best of my knowledge, lost a sale. Some dealers describe restorations only when asked, but I think this is short sighted, as it means that they may sell some antiques with undisclosed restorations that may come back to bite them in the future (and, quite frankly, I hope they do!)
http://www.fiskeandfreeman.com/
Steven Lalioff
December 30, 2011
My forte is in the restoration and conservation of historic leather objects. My speciality within this scope is the preservation and restoration of early American leather fire buckets. The maximums that I try to apply to every job include the use of archival materials and the application of materials that are reversible.
I started a blog last year hoping to examine and explain every aspect of this work…but my time has been very limited and unfortunately I’ve not proceeded very far in recording this information.
If this work interests you and you have specific questions I will try to address them as best I can.
http://www.lalioff.com/
Robert Campbell
December 30, 2011
The terms Restoration, vs Repair have come to be commonly interchanged. In my area of the country, we seldom see true antiques. Most pieces are reproductions of common “antique” styles of furniture. Of those, due to today’s economical climate, our old “everyday” furniture that has been passed down from generation to generation has been viewed as “Antique”. When these pieces need repair, most clients have no concept of what tasks are performed in the process of making a restoration. I have found, that simple mechanical repairs with a lot of TLC resolves most problems that can occur to a piece of furniture. Using modern tools and supplies to execute a repair to a structural or finish will resolve any problem. When I write a proposal for restoration/repair services, I try to find out what the client’s expectations are. Most think that putting a piece back in good appearance both structurally with a pleasing finish, will increase it’s value permitting them to sell the piece for a better price. My response, is to sell it “as is” for what ever they can get out of it, thereby letting the buyer foot the bill for repair/restoration. Most of my customers concur with my outlook once they’ve toured local antique shops and see what similar pieces are bring on the local market. Most pieces sell far less than the costs of restoreing a piece.
Robert Campbell
Master Craftsman
Furniture Restoration Studio
TEXAS – USA
Laurence Mitchell
December 30, 2011
Reading your articles It is important to let clients know that restoration is not a replacement forever but a means to an end. One of the problems of restoration is that people in general have no concept of the difference between good or bad restoration. There is no reason for them to know and this also leads into a rather grey area in that most people will go for price without any realisation that it is the expertise of the restorer where the value lies in restoring any work of art. I have to take care when having any ceramic material restored how I explain a restoration cost. I recently gave a quotation to restore for a client I didn’t know. The cost of the restoration was very high in comparison to the worth of the piece but my profit margin represented a small part of the cost. It is not just forgeries and fakes that can create challenges for restorers but the acceptance that they are not being ripped off by the cost of the restoration.
http://www.trustedrestoration.com/
Peggy McClard
January 11, 2012
I consider condition and the presence of any restoration/conservation an essential part of at least every website listing and certainly every description for an item in an antiques mall where the dealer might not always be available. When I used to do shows, I don’t know that I would have had time to list every condition issue on the tag, but I always, at the very least, listed that there was conservation/restoration and to please ask about it. But, over the internet, I think that potential clients feel like they have been duped into calling or, even worse, that a piece was misrepresented if condition is not given upfront. I, myself, have been burned by dealers not listing condition reports upfront and not answering with a full condition report when asked….as if the potential client must ask about every specific type of condition problem to get a true answer. I do not want to perpetuate the idea that the antique industry is comprised on half-truths (or worse). I try to give people the information I want to receive and I just try to treat people the way I want to be treated. I just don’t see how you can go wrong with that business philosophy.
http://www.peggymcclard.com/
Rebekah Kaufman
January 11, 2012
It’s part of the description of the item, or if I am introducing an item via the phone, it’s all part of the discussion. I even ask after I have described the condition if they have any questions about the restoration, just to be double sure that “they heard me.”
http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/
David Malys
January 11, 2012
I agree with both John and Rebekah on what they do. At the end of a description I always put the overall condition of the piece and lastly note any conservation as well as the scope of it. I think a customer during his first read of a description wants to know all damage and restoration before they start seriously contemplating any piece. It is all part of their price/value relationship, and they don’t wish to waste their time anymore that we wish to waste ours, If they only purchase items with no apologies, it’s much better that they move to another piece of inventory, if the restored one will never be considered for purchase by them.
http://www.adrianmorrisantiques.com
Elaine Miller
January 13, 2012
I am a conservator/restorer and also worked as a cataloguer for an auction house. Potential auction clients would contact me regarding the condition of a piece. I found it very important to describe the item as well as the quality of any repair. There’s a huge difference if something has been restored by a qualified professional or by someone with a tube of super glue. I’m not a fan of airbrushing but some want their pieces “perfect.” I describe the quality and extent of the airbrushing too. I found being honest and detailed with the descriptions of items I ended up with several repeat clients who would ask specifically for me during subsequent auctions.
http://www.studiofairmont.com/Site/Home.html
David Malys
January 13, 2012
Peggy is right on the money. That is exactly what I do with each item on my own website. Any notes of significance are stated in the original description of the piece. If a person phones on a piece I restate to them the condition, again calling out any items of note, just in case they have forgotten what was stated in the description. Sometimes they ask about an aspect of a piece that I consider only a good verification of the item’s age and authenticity. Nevertheless I will then get the piece to hold in my hands again and carefully look for any indication of what they want to know about. I will also take and email as many jpeg photos as they want, including close-ups of any damage and conservation areas. By the time they decide to purchase it they will have a very accurate idea of how it will appear in their own hands after they pull it out of the box. That is just good honest dealing in antiques that every collector should expect.
And yes, I will take anything back for a refund, and without a reason being even necessary. Sometimes an item is just not as appealing to a person in the flesh as it was in the photos of it. And sometimes it’s even better. Actually, since I don’t try to get my website item photos Photoshop perfect, almost every customer comments that the piece was even better than expected. And additional photos I might take and send to a potential customer are always raw photos, not even cropped. If they like it from my additional descriptions and photos, they will typically love it when they get it.
http://www.adrianmorrisantiques.com
Stuart Purcell
January 20, 2012
The answer is yes and no! Conservation of a work of art or an antique means just that, you conserve the item with the intent of halting or slowing depreciation. The intent is to preserve rather than improve its condition. Restoration, however is an attempt to return the item’s condition to a point in history. Restoration can reduce the resale value of an item as many potential buyers favour items in original condition. Less is more when it comes to deciding what to do. If you have a particular item in mind and would like to discuss it, please feel free to get in touch and I will help all I can.
http://www.orrs.ie/