Conservation and Restoration of Clear Coatings on Furniture and ...

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our modern finishes in scenarios like those at Parliament House. (see later in Document, Parliament House
Scenario). Although not directly related, Campbell’s research has been to find an alternative to the widespread use
<strong>of</strong> modern synthetic compounds used to repair Boulle work, simulating tortoise shell. Campbell reasoned that very
little is known about what possible detrimental effect solvents used in modern coatings, <strong>and</strong> the other materials
employed in these compounds, may have on pieces in the future.
The students were very interested in the state <strong>of</strong> furniture conservation in Australia <strong>and</strong> I was asked give an
impromptu presentation to students from all years. Talking on the subject <strong>of</strong> furniture conservation in Australia,
though concentrating on the content <strong>and</strong> intent <strong>of</strong> my ISS fellowship. It became evident that even though the 20th
Century furniture research group is a part <strong>of</strong> the same department, the students do not specialise until perhaps post
graduate level. The teaching <strong>of</strong> furniture conservation throughout the UK <strong>and</strong> Europe still focuses primarily on
historic furniture <strong>and</strong> associated materials.
Upstairs at Buckinghamshire, the final year students working on their projects
Course Leader Paul Tear
Paul Tear’s previous experience at the London Museum <strong>and</strong> Wallace Collection involved him in important new
technologies <strong>and</strong> materials accepted widely today in furniture conservation. Paul was involved in developing several
new techniques <strong>and</strong> adopting other pre-existing methods, particularly in the repair <strong>and</strong> consolidation <strong>of</strong> marquetry
where the underlying glue is vulnerable to conservation treatments. We talked a length about the issues <strong>of</strong> removing
modern coatings with solvents <strong>and</strong> their impact on glues as this is indeed one <strong>of</strong> the scenarios I <strong>of</strong>ten face. Paul has
a scientific approach to problem solving <strong>and</strong> his suggestion to run a series <strong>of</strong> tests on mock panels is one I will
definitely pursue. Though first I need access in Australia to those with the knowledge, equipment <strong>and</strong> expertise to
measure <strong>and</strong> quantify the results.