Applied Arts

The Department’s collections contain many thousands of historic and archaeological objects, from small items of jewellery to monumental outdoor sculpture. Applied Arts conservators need to be familiar with the differing environmental and treatment requirements of a huge range of materials, including metals, inorganics (such as ceramics, glass, enamels, stones and gemstones) and organic materials (such as wood, leather, textiles, lacquer, amber, ivory, bone, horn, feathers and shell).

In addition to interventive treatments and collections care, projects focus on technical investigation, condition assessment and conservation of objects for forthcoming exhibitions, either in-house or for loan, and to refresh the permanent displays.