AIC, the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, is the national membership organization of conservation professionals. It was established in 1959 to "advance the practice and promote the importance of the preservation of cultural property." (AIC Bylaws, Section I)
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Conservation is a more scientific approach to restoration, the more commonly used term. Conservators are usually academically trained with a background in sciences and the arts in addition to their treatment skills. Conservation strives to preserve the object and, as possible, its history, versus attempting to restore an object to its original state.
The materials used by a conservator also differ from those of a restorer in that conservators make every attempt to use materials that will be compatible, stable, and as reversible as possible. In this respect, conservation preserves the integrity of the object so that future treatments or analysis will not be compromised.
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Costs will vary depending upon the complexity of the treatment and subsequent time involved. In most cases, a range of prices will be given covering the different treatment options. You can then decide what extent of treatment will fit into your own budget.
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As conservators, we are bound by a code of ethics and guidelines for practice as set forth by the AIC. This code declares that activities such as authentication, appraisal, or art dealing pose a considerable potential for conflict of interest. (AIC Professional Conduct Guidelines, #15)
Furthermore, a professional conservator will not consider the value placed on a work of art or historical object relative to the proposed treatment. In essence, every treatment should be carried out as if the work were invaluable. Therefore, your grandmother's vase would receive the same respect as a work displayed in a museum.
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In most cases, damage to an art object will result in a decrease in value. Conservation treatments to address reparation of such damage, or reversing and correcting previous disfiguring restoration attempts, would theoretically improve the condition of the object. However, whether or not the value increases or decreases should be left to the expert opinion of an appraiser.
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Size and condition permitting, most work is done in the conservation laboratory. If an object is too fragile to move, it may be stabilized first on site. Larger objects, such as outdoor sculptures, will generally be treated on site.
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The time frame will depend on two factors: the extent of treatment necessary, and the laboratory schedule for treatments in progress and those pending. Normally, your object will not be accepted until there is an opening in the schedule. Therefore, the wait will be reduced to the amount of time necessary for its individual treatment and accompanying documentation.
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Repairs to objects are executed to meet museum standards. Typically, this means that the repair may remain slightly visible to the eye at normal museum viewing distance, that is, 18 inches.
Conservation attempts to make honest repairs which do not hide the fact that the object has been treated. If the repair is difficult to discern by normal viewing, conservation materials can be distinguished from original materials with the use of certain instruments used in the profession.
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