Photo: Marie Ducimetière
Wood is perhaps one of the most universally used materials. Throughout history. Wood has been used as a building material, for tools, for religious objects, for furniture, for art and much more. With proper care, wood can be a very durable material, and as such, can last many lifetimes. Conservation and restoration helps to preserve the objects and allow to continue to use and enjoy them. From antique baroque cabinets to abstract conceptual artworks, each object has its own connotations and attributed values. Wood and furniture restoration uses traditional craft, scientific analysis and art historical research in order to preserve and protect cultural heritage.
Every work of art is unique and therefore requires a custom conservation and restoration approach. It is often this uniqueness that complicates the conservation and restoration process, yet also so rewarding. Restauratieatelier Mantel believes that being critical, open to alternatives, keen-eyed and aware of the restorer's positions is as vital to restoration as is the required craftmanship, pragmatism and knowledge. It is up to the conservator to ask the artist the right questions and act both as facilitator and mediator between the conservation, the attributed meanings and the demands made from the artwork.