Restoration and conservation

What’s the difference? A restorer will revive an item but there is some risk that originality and value will be compromised. A conservator will go to great trouble to conserve the integrity of an item and preserve the artists/manufacturers original intent. This may result in an item not looking perfect but the originality is maintained.

Some restorers and conservators have regulatory bodies and it is advisable when using either to use one that is member of one of those bodies.

Restoration or conversation should not be undertaken lightly as effects on value can be disastrously deleterious.

Put together for example a conservator/restorer, a dealer/auctioneer and an oil painting in poor but original condition and pose the question, should this be restored/conserved or sold as is? An argument will normally ensue.

Given that each makes their living from their respective skills it could be argued that this state of affairs is understandable but it is interesting to understand the different attitudes.

The dealer/auctioneer will normally argue that the painting has more commercial value in its untouched ‘raw’ state, therefore more profit or commission. Indeed items sold at auction in their ‘raw’ but original state often make considerably more than their counterparts that have succumbed to restoration/conservation. In part the reason for this is that the buyer will feel they can restore/conserve the item to their taste and at a lower cost.

The restorer and conservator will have slightly differing views. The restorer will promote restoration regardless of any possible reduction in the originality and value of an item because that is how they make their living. On the other hand a conservator who usually has an academic background will have a more ethereal view and recommend conservation although the fee for doing so is just as important to them as the restorer.

An interesting point to note is that in the event of a serious insurance claim resulting in the need for restoration/conservation some specialist insurers recognise that after such process the item may be reduced in value and because of this recompense may be made for the loss in value.

Vost’s work with a range of specialist fine art conservators, some of them accredited, and some antiques restorers.