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About CU Conservation

Make Do and Conserve: Mechanical Skills and Conservation Principles in Context

Posted on 17 January 2022 by Alice Law

Conservation is collaborative field. Training is a constant process of learning, tying together strands of different disciplines to understand options for treating an object – how it was made, the […]

Treatment of a Plaster Shark

Treatment of a Plaster Shark

Posted on 17 January 2022 by natalielongworth

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to do a six-week student placement at Bolton Museum. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work with a wide range […]

Hell bent for leather; an investigation determining type of leather used for bridle rosette

Hell bent for leather; an investigation determining type of leather used for bridle rosette

Posted on 6 January 2022 by Leonie McKenzie

Why the investigation? When conserving objects, it is important to know what materials it’s made up from. This will give insight into the types of decay or damage that might […]

Object Handling

Posted on 22 March 2021 by natalielongworth

Working in conservation, we have a duty to look after objects that have been entrusted to us. Each time we handle objects, the risk that we could damage them increases. […]

Evolution of British Pottery Marks

Posted on 19 March 2021 by tszcheung

Pottery marks are a dependable means by which the manufacturers, origins, production dates and so many details of the ceramics may be identified. Often, the marks include factory names or […]

Asian Lacquer – Sap Varieties and a Basic Guide to Purchasing Raw Lacquer

Posted on 16 January 2021 by jingyizhang

Asian lacquerware is a unique art form that involves coating objects with layers of natural resin to produce decorative and protective coatings. Asian lacquer is derived from the refined sap […]

Volunteering at National Museum Wales (Preventive conservation)

Volunteering at National Museum Wales (Preventive conservation)

Posted on 27 May 2020 by Amanda Chua

Hello! Before I begin talking about my time volunteering, I should do a short introduction about myself. I’m a MSc Care of Collections student at Cardiff University. It’s a one […]

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Glass Plate Negative Conservation)

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Glass Plate Negative Conservation)

Posted on 1 April 2020 by Henry Rincavage

I’ve always been fascinated with the process of developing negatives and film photography, so when I had to opportunity to pick the material type of my next object while studying […]

Group Projects: Teamwork makes the dream work

Group Projects: Teamwork makes the dream work

Posted on 23 March 2020 by Caitlin Jenkins

Some objects that arrive at the university lab are too large or complex for a single person to work on, so their responsibility is given to a 'project manager', usually […]

Frequently Asked Questions in Taxidermy

Frequently Asked Questions in Taxidermy

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Ella Berry

Photo of me (left) talking to guests at the National Museum of Wales After Dark event alongside vertebrate curator Jennifer Gallichan (centre) and Nichola Hope (right) drawing. Photo courtesy of […]