Restoration

Mid August, and there is not much interesting or exciting news in the decorative art or fine are markets. I look forward to September and the fall auction and show seasons. I did find an interesting article from a central Louisiana paper on the art of restoration. The article gives a local perspective along with commentary from local restoration professionals I thought it was applicable for the AW Blog and appraisers. As appraisers we are typically asked to refer a restorer to work property damaged in a move, or just to recommend a restorer or conservator to clean and freshen a piece of art or furniture, so the more we know about restoration and conservation scholarship the better.

The article states While experts say that some minor defects can add character to antiques, household furniture or art objects, many damaged collectibles can - and should - be restored, cleaned or repaired to display their original form and function.

"There are some amazing techniques available to restore items to their original shape and beauty," says DiAnna Tindell, a professional restorer who also operates Tindell's Restoration Schools and Studio in Cane Ridge, Tenn., which offers classes in restoration methods.

The article continues Restoration artists say it is just as important to know what not to do. A poor restoration job can devalue or even ruin an item.

"A lot of what I do is to undo the well-meaning efforts of people who don't know what they are doing," says Cynthia Stowe, a painting restorer who operates Cumberland Art Conservation in Nashville.

Stowe says that a competent restorer will only use methods that can be completely undone, if necessary.

"My goal is to return a painting to an owner in a condition as nearly as possible to the condition when it left the artist," says Stowe, who works primarily on 19th-and early 20th-century paintings. "But I'm completely aware that what is considered state-of-the-art now (in terms of restoration techniques) may not be considered state-of-the-art in the future."

Leaving damage unfixed is sometimes best for an object, Tindell says.

The original varnish may be uneven on a piece of wooden furniture, but its value as an antique could be compromised by re-varnishing it, for example. Or a repair could prove more costly than an item is worth.

Stowe notes, however, that owners don't weigh an item's value only as its monetary worth.

To read the full article, click HERE.