PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS

Discussing principles of conservation
3.2. CONSIDERATION OF
CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS
People wish to use historic buildings in ways they have never
been used in the past, and this often comes into direct conflict
with the requirements of conserving the historic material and
contents in their present state. 255 In addition, the success of a conservation
process often depends upon the project sponsors and
upon their understanding of the management and design process
required to achieve their objectives. 256 As a result, the aim of
a conservator is not only to ensure the preservation of a historic
object, but also to educate the sponsors about the significance of
an object and possible ways of preserving it. However, to be able
to conserve at all, conservators need to reach a consensus with
the sponsors and, where possible, let them achieve their goals.
Conservation is always facilitated by making use of an object for
some socially useful purpose. Although such use is desirable, it
must not change the lay-out or decoration of a monument. It is
within these limits that modifications demanded by a change in
function should be envisaged and may be permitted. 257 Although
developing the most fitting conservation concept is essential, in
my opinion the primary aim of the whole process is to preserve
the historic object, which cannot speak for itself.
Besides communication issues, the most important factors
in conservation are the decisions made according to the results
of research preceding the treatment. In some cases, the results
may lead to the development of several conservation scenarios,
all of which may be technically feasible. However, it is important
to keep in mind that each scenario may have a different
impact on the aesthetics of a room. 258
255
Tobit Curteis, “Working Buildings: The Effect of Building Use on the Conservation of
Wall Paintings and Polychrome Surfaces” in Conservation of Historic Buildings and
Their Contents. Addressing the Conflicts, ed. by David Watt and Belinda Colston,
(Shaftebury: Donhead Publishing Ltd., 2010), 54.
256
Donald Hankey, “Management of the Historic Environment – The Broad Nature of the
Process” in Conservation of Historic Buildings and their Contents. Addressing the
Conflicts, ed. David Watt and Belinda Colston (Shaftebury: Donhead Publishing Ltd.,
2010), 100.
257
The Venice Charter, Article 5, 1964.
258
John Edwards, “Conserving Cardiff Castle – Planning for Success” in Conservation of
Historic Buildings and Their Contents. Addressing the Conflicts, ed. David Watt and
Belinda Colston, (Shaftebury: Donhead Publishing Ltd., 2010), 93.
145