Sliver-thin, delicately cut, and masterfully assembled into breathtaking images and patterns; one does not need to know much about marquetry to understand the skill it requires. A process dating back thousands of years, marquetry is the beautiful result of years of training, perfection, and artisanship.
When metal becomes corroded, the alloy has undergone a chemical reaction with its environment, typically with oxygen and moisture, which leads to the deterioration of the metal's surface. Improper storage, the age and materials used to make the sword, climate conditions, and lack of consistent proper maintenance can all contribute to metal corrosion, such as with these four antique swords.
Ethnographic art is often deeply rooted in the history and traditions of a particular community, and it can play various roles within that context. It may serve ceremonial, religious, or symbolic purposes, as well as being functional in everyday life. For example, masks might be used in traditional ceremonies, textiles may carry symbols with specific meanings, and pottery might serve as utilitarian vessels.
Corporate archives serve as invaluable repositories of historical knowledge for organizations. Archives provide insights into the company's past, which they can leverage to inform present decision-making and future strategies. These archives serve several vital functions and are crucial in supporting various aspects of a company's operations and activities. They are sources of inspiration and are crucial in preserving corporate memory, facilitating research, ensuring compliance, and contributing to a company's overall success.
"When I first heard that The Center had a collection of instruments coming into the lab for treatment, I was not envisioning that they would all fit on my desk mat." But fit they did - all thirteen miniature instruments in total that came under the care of Senior Conservator of Furniture Rob Kleeman. As Rob shared, the project was interesting due to its "scale," but the story behind the curios illustrates the immense size of their importance.
This hairwork necklace is circa 1845 and is part of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts collection in Little Rock, Arkansas. Constructed of braided hair and gold, it arrived at The Center displayed on a fabric-lined mount. The metal components exhibited minimal grime and oxidation, with solder marks on the two clasps that hold the chained cross at the top and the proper right end of the cross. Tears and fraying hair were noted on fourteen braided orbs; the damage varied, including missing material and deformations. The gold cap on the bottom of the cross was also missing. But, the focus of this treatment would be the hairwork beads and cross.
The power of the drum is rooted in its ability to send messages. With the constant tempo of warriors' feet beating on the ground, it summons allies and beats back enemies with the same force. It can be used as an instrument of war or peace, a companion to dance and celebration. During the Revolutionary War, the drum played a vital role in conveying messages, persuading troops to fight, and boosting morale.
Still in its crate, the beauty and intricacy of this 18th-century clock are unmistakable. The clock's many components, from the clockworks to the music box mechanics, the woodworking, and delicately painted metal panels, showcase the craftsman that brought this piece to life in late 18th century England. And now, in the 21st century, a new team of skilled professionals came together to restore this clock's original integrity.
Carved wood, fabric wrapped and covered in thousands of meticulously placed seed beads, this chair's owner had one goal when she contacted The Center: "I wanted to make sure it was in its best condition!!" The owner, Lori, inherited the chair from her mother. It was in her mother's gallery in Palm Beach for many years and later was in her home. Before this, the chair's history is unknown; however, the construction and design are consistent with 20th-century Bamileke beaded art.
The Allen family lore tells a plausible, if improbable, tale; the antique sword is an heirloom that has been carried by one generation to the next going all the way back to its original owner - Ethan Allen. Specifically, the founder of Vermont, Revolutionary War patriot, and politician Ethan Allen, who lived from 1737-1789.
This year the art world lost an artist whose name had become ubiquitous with the Chicago art scene: Karl Wirsum (1939 - 2021). A graduate of the School at The Art Institute of Chicago and a lifelong Chicagoan (a short teaching stint at Sacramento State University in the 1970's the only exception), Wirsum was a part of the Hairy Who group of Chicago artists in the mid 1960s. Truly, no collection of Chicago art is complete without a work by Wirsum.
When this striking turquoise ceramic bowl arrived at The Center for treatment, it immediately caught the attention of our objects conservator, with its history and character. This dish is low-fired ceramic and finished with a lovely glaze on the interior and half of the exterior with decorative hand-painted bands and curved motifs. Although we are unsure how old this Persian dish is, our conservator's examination showed that this object had survived a long life so far.
As Jewish heritage spans many countries, cultures, and customs, the ceremonial and ritual objects pictured here are only a few of many permutations and preferences. Nevertheless, they share the same background and prominence in their congregations and households. The conservation of these pieces often had the added task of ensuring that these objects could still be used or ritually displayed, which will also be discussed.
Glass, Paint, Metal - It's always an exciting day when an unusual mixed media object arrives at The Center for treatment. One hundred sixty-two painted glass panes set in a series of metal channels come together in this early 20th-century terrestrial globe light fixture. Measuring nearly 3 feet in diameter, this light fixture needed several issues addressed before it was ready to take back its place of prominence at the center of the room.
Chinese Buddhistic Lions are symbols of feng shui that were traditionally placed in front of Imperial palaces and temples. Also called Imperial Guardian Lions, they can be a special addition to any private collection. They are usually bought and displayed in pairs—one male and one female. The male lion is identified by a globe under its paw, and the female likewise has a cub.
Our conservators come from vastly different backgrounds and specialize in treating countless types of objects, from oil or watercolor paintings to wood furniture to metal sculptures. Each piece is handled with expert attentiveness and care, whether it is large or small. One of our recently completed projects was on the smaller side—an ivory sculpture, measuring just over six inches tall.
As art enthusiasts, the staff here at The Center are always eager to witness the transformation of the pieces that enter our care. This month we were captivated by the recent results of a particular piece by Marisol Escobar. Made in 1954 as a gift to her studio mate, Richard Buzzle, Marisol created this stained wooden box out of an old butter crate, then added two stepped doors; this created a shape that is reminiscent of a religious altarpiece. Inside, she sculpted a nativity scene with numerous clay figures, and adorned the doors with metal star cutouts.
Louisiana’s most famous female artist, Clementine Hunter, didn’t start creating art until around the age of 50. Born just a few decades after the Civil War, Hunter lived most of her life on the Hidden Hill and Melrose cotton plantation where she worked as a field laborer and domestic worker, respectively. It wasn’t until the mid-1940’s when a visitor of the plantation left behind art supplies that Hunter began to create the art she is known for today.
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