What we Do

 

Conservation Services

The Conservation Center is a full-service facility where dozens of trained experts from around the world collaborate across a wide range of conservation disciplines—uniquely positioned to care for collections of all sizes and mediums.

 
 
 

Antique & Fine Furniture

Our conservators combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to preserve the historical integrity and functionality of period and contemporary furniture. Each treatment is customized to maintain structural stability, authenticity, and aesthetic appeal.

An antique Asian lapidary screen undergoing conservation treatment in the Antique & Fine Furniture department.
 

Antique Frames & Gilding

Specializing in the conservation of frames and gilded objects, this department focuses on stabilizing and preserving original structure, replacing lost ornament, filling losses, and meticulously applying gold leaf or appropriate finish to maintain historical integrity and aesthetic continuity.

Traditional gilding tools – including an extremely thin sheet of 24k gold leaf – are laid out on a workstation in our laboratory.
 

Objects, Antiques, & Sculpture

With expertise in diverse materials and techniques, this department specializes in conservation of three-dimensional antiques, heirlooms, artifacts, decorative, and fine art objects while preserving their cultural and historical integrity.

Our conservator carefully touches up an area of damage on a white Sol LeWitt sculpture.
 

Paintings

Our expert conservators use minimally invasive treatments to preserve paintings, carefully addressing both surface and structure to maintain the artist’s intent and ensure long-term stability.

This early Roy Lichtenstein painting is undergoing surface cleaning with a cotton swab to remove grime and accretions that have built up on the piece over time.
 

Photographs

The Photography Department specializes in preserving and conserving photographic works across a wide range of formats, from historic cased photographs to contemporary prints.

This photograph of two dogs by the artist William Wegman has a large tear in the center, which was later treated by our expert conservators.
 

Rare Books

This department specializes in the preservation and restoration of bound materials—from early books and manuscripts to scrapbooks and photo albums—focusing on careful stabilization and repair to extend their lifespan and safeguard their historical, cultural, and sentimental value.

A conservator wearing a blue protective glove carefully opens an antique family Bible to the presentation page following conservation treatment.
 

Textiles

Our conservators specialize in preserving a wide range of fabric-based items—from tapestries and costumes to quilts and flags—using delicate stabilization and cleaning techniques to enhance their durability and ensure proper display.

This Mimosa rug designed by Matisse was treated by our textile conservators.
 

Works on Paper

This department treats a wide range of works—from historical documents and prints to watercolors—using tailored methods based on each piece’s unique characteristics.

Our conservator uses thin pieces of Japanese tissue to safely add hinges to this work on paper for proper display.
 

Other Services

 
 
A new frame for this painting is carefully selected from hundreds of available samples during a consultation.

Custom Framing & display

Collaborating with conservators, the Custom Framing & Display Department creates museum-quality, archival framing solutions using the most up-to-date and advanced methodologies and materials in the field. Every piece receives a highly customized, unique design tailor-made to ensure long-term preservation.

These rare journals by artist Lillias Trotter were digitally conserved and reproduced into exact copies, allowing them to be distributed for scholarship and enjoyment while preserving the safety of the original documents.

Digital Restoration

Specializing in the careful scanning, retouching, and reproduction of delicate photographs, documents, and books, the Digital Restoration Department helps preserve sentimental items by creating high-quality digital and physical replicas for safe handling and display.

 
Our team of expert art handlers carefully and safely unloads crated works from one of our air-ride equipped trucks.

Fine Art Shipping & Installation

The Conservation Center's professional art handling team provides safe, reliable pick-up, delivery, and installation services, ensuring the careful transport and display of fine art, antiques, and heirlooms locally and nationally.

Our secure warehouse is full of carefully-packaged works in storage.

Fine Art Storage

The Conservation Center offers secure, climate-controlled storage solutions managed and monitored 24/7 by trained art handlers, ensuring the safe preservation of fine art, antiques, and collections during renovations, emergencies, or long-term needs.

 
Three of our conservators assess a corporate collection for treatment recommendations and long-term care needs.

Collection Assessments & Condition Reporting

Our trained experts provide professional condition reports and onsite assessments to help preserve corporate, private, and public art collections, identifying potential issues and offering long-term care recommendations.

A Greek codex – part of a large university collection –  is carefully digitized after treatment.

Archives Digitization & Preservation

The Conservation Center partners with institutions to digitally preserve and conserve diverse archival materials using non-invasive scanning technology and expert housing solutions, ensuring both safe reproduction and long-term care of valuable collections.

CONTACT US
312.944.5401