Conservation terms

Question 1

What are the 3 types of treatments for museum objects?

Answer 1

Restoration, Remedial/Active Conservation and Preventive/Passive Conservation

Question 2

What is Restoration?

Answer 2

-Treatment that brings damaged objects back to previous condition to reinstate their original function and aesthetic
-Can be at the expense of the original material, especially when adding non-original material
-May modify the objects appearance and cause irreversible damage.

Question 3

What is Conservation in general?

Answer 3

-Treatment that stabilizes an object’s condition and doesn’t necessarily improve its appearance
-reversibility in mind
- Requires respecting historical and artistic integrity
-Purpose is to prevent deterioration so it can continue to be used.

Question 4

What is Remedial/Active Conservation?

Answer 4

-Treatments are carried out directly to the object such as cleaning and adding support
- The appearance of the object may change due to removal of dirt, rearranging loose fragments, etc.

Question 5

What is Preventive/Passive Conservation?

Answer 5

-Creating optimum environments for storing and exhibiting objects that will delay degradation (involves light control, pest management, pollution, storage materials, etc)
-These are indirect actions to slow deterioration and prevent damage.