Conservation stabilises an item, mitigating it against the agents of deterioration that cause ongoing damage (this often has the bonus effect of making an item look better).

Conservation aims to do what’s best for an object, extending its longevity. Conservation preserves, protecting items from an ignoble demise via further neglect and disassociation from their stories, allowing them to be appreciated by future generations.

In contrast, restoration endeavours to cover up damage, making the item appear superficially better but ultimately masking the deterioration that will persist. 

Usually, there will be a blend of these two philosophies in any treatment— we stabilise objects to ensure their ongoing survival, but also carry out restoration treatments such as retouching (to add in lost decorative detail) and replacing lost components (such as the end of a finger on a broken sculpture), but only if these actions do not jeopardise the longevity of the item.

At Endangered heritage, we repair in the manner that would be best for an object. We never want to overdo it, as this could result in further damage in the long run. Our processes and repairs are reversible, so that if a repair needs to be redone, it can be done with ease and minimal harm to the object.

 Endangered Heritage has a fully equipped laboratory and provides conservation services for our national collection in galleries, museums, libraries, and universities. We will deliver the same standard of work to your project as we do to these national collections.  Each of our conservators has extensive experience and training in multiple specialisations, with many of them frequently running teaching programs.

Endangered Heritage does not outsource work without the knowledge of the client. The owner will always be in direct contact with the conservator undertaking the work.