What are the different approaches to preserving an item? Is there a correct way for retaining an item's value? When should a finish be removed? What type of finish needs to go in its place? Can the existing finish be resurrected? What materials are stable and long lasting? What materials should be used? Will intrusive methods devalue an item? Can I paint an item? And the list goes on and on.
The choices as well as the solutions are many. It is not a one- way path. These are some of the questions that plague a person who owns an item.
There are two separate classes of ownership, institutional (museums), and non institutional (private owner).
If an item belongs to a museum, then the curator gives a direction for preservation based on its value that has already been established. In most cases precautionary actions will be taken, not to alter or use any materials foreign to its original composition. Prudence is taken in cleaning, duplicating and stabilizing or consolidating a finish. All materials are archival approved and reversible, according to the purist sense of restoring or conserving an item.
There are museum experts at all levels, highly educated conservators that make choices for the public at large as to what items need to be preserved for posterity. Museums, libraries, historic homes, historic buildings all contain a multitude of period pieces and styles that have been created over the years and centuries and are in the best of care. Williamsburg VA, alone has a conservation lab dedicated to recreating, and preserving wooden items. A whole town has been preserved; buildings, homes and all its furnishings. A great place to visit!!
On the other hand, it is unrealistic to bring every item to the peak of perfection from a "purist" point of view. For most of the population, it is beyond their budget and what they want. So on an individual stand, we do not have to treat each piece as a historic item in need of preservation. It is our piece; lets have some fun and create what will be pleasing to us.
If a family member ( a non-conservator) inherits a heirloom, he or she may consider a more intrusive method of restoration. Their ultimate goal is aesthetics. Sometimes, out of ignorance, choices are made that devalue an item, but, this is their privilege. It may be the owners intention to make an item a usable piece that can withstand the use from activity of a family with children, I.E. placing a urethane coating on a tabletop. We also need to be aware of the owner's choice of artistically decorating or creating a whimsical faux effect on a decorative piece. This is the privilege of the person who claims proprietorship. He/she has this right! He/she can do whatever they choose. There are no "wrongs." It is only others who have their opinions and there are as many opinions as there are pieces.
We are not going to lose our past because an individual decides to remove a finish, replace a part, fill in a hole with a polyester fill, use modern products for replacements. Or some artist decides to be creative with his decorating skill on an old piece of furniture and recreates a whole new look! You see, either way, it all becomes our history at some point. So let's "loosen up" our opinion of what is "right" and "wrong" and lets enjoy the possessions we have.
There is an AOR/CCA member, J Rickford (Rick), Poor Richards Restoration and Preservation Studio Workshop, Montclair, NJ, who is known for saving heirlooms of sentimental value and recreating them into wonderful keepsakes! He is acclaimed for enhancing every rule and then ascending with a new artwork of great value. Done with expertise and the right products, a new history of memories will now be passed down from generation to generation. A family history has been saved and preserved; what creativity!
If someone wants to paint a piece of furniture bright pink, and inlay a collage of family photos, let it be. It is their choice. There are many great pieces of furniture that are restored to the "purist" standards. The profession does not need to impose a "one-way" standard on every piece of old wood or wooden object.
Another important point is that acknowledgement needs to be made to anyone's attempt to save a piece, no matter what quality of restoration/repair or recreation. What is the alternative? It would have been thrown into the trash! It now has the possibility of someone at a future date, discovering it, uncovering "whatever", and hopefully to be valued at a million dollars. That's what we are all looking for, isn't it? The joy and excitement of such finds; its what keeps us motivated!
The only rights or wrongs come into the picture after the owner decides what his purpose is for the item in hand. If the purpose is for resale, then there are certain approaches that will retain its value. If it is a historic item, then "not knowing" some basic facts can easily devalue its worth and bring a piece to its demise before its time. Everyday care plays into the picture for the longevity of an item. Using stable products is important so that finishes or repairs do not break down after a short period of time. All these concerns need to be addressed before any action is taken, if value and preservation are important. The choice is based on the owners intended use of an item. There are no "rights and wrongs" only choices! Once a choice is made then there are paths to follow that will achieve the end desired result.
If retaining historical value is important, recreating an aesthetic appearance, or knowing what is the best process for your needs, then contact the AOR/CCA, Association of Restorers and Council of Certified Artists. All the different methods and approaches of restoration are taught at the AOR, Academy of Restoration, West Palm Beach Fl. For a program of courses please call 516-514-0025. The AOR/CCA has a public website that gives information on all aspects of furniture care, maintenance and refinishing. www.assoc-restorers.com. Also if you are in need of a restorer of any sort, you can locate one on the site. A great service! If you have a question, post it on the Q & A Forum.