Keyword

Restorer, Ceramics

Minimum Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)/Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Not required

The tasks a Restorer, Ceramics is expected to perform include:

Cleaning, preserving, restoring and repairing objects made of glass, porcelain, china, fired clay and other ceramic materials

Coating the excavated objects with a surface-active agent so as to loosen adhering mud or clay

Washing the objects with clear water and then placing them in diluted hydrochloric acid or another solution

Ensuring that all the remaining deposits of lime or chalk are removed from the object

Selecting the solution by considering the physical and chemical structure of objects and the destructive qualities of solvents

Cleaning glass, porcelain or similar objects by using methods such as soaking the objects in lukewarm water with ammonia

Wiping gilded or enamelled objects with a solvent-saturated swab

Rubbing all the objects with a paste cleanser

Rubbing the objects with jewellers rouge or another mild cleanser

Soaking all the objects in distilled water, with bleachor solvent added

Applying a paste or liquid solvent such as magnesium silicate or acetone to the part being restored

Choosing the method according to the material, age, condition and chemical structure of objects

Providing the required recommendations to save objects from damage like control of temperature, humidity and exposure to light, to curatorial and building maintenance

Impregnating the surfaces with diluted synthetic lacquers so as to reduce the porosity of the material and increase the durability of the ancient earthenware

Restoring or simulating the original appearance of the objects by methods such as polishing surfaces to restore translucency, removing crackled glaze and applying soluble synthetic coating

Grinding or cutting out the chipped edges and re-polishing the surfaces of the objects

Applying matt paints, gold leaf or other coating to the object

Selecting the methods and materials to be restored based on knowledge of the original craft and the condition of objects

Repairing the broken objects by bonding the edges together with an adhesive and then cementing the ends together to the inner portions of the broken objects

Inserting dowel pins in the broken section of the object

Replacing the missing sections of the objects by constructing wireframes of the missing section

Shaping plasticene or other materials over the frames

Affixing the modelled sections to the objects using dowels or adhesives

Painting the attached sections to reproduce the original appearance

Constructing the replicas of archaeological artefacts or historically significant ceramic-ware

Constructing the base design based on the size, curvature and thickness of the excavated shards or pieces of the objects available

Proficient in restoring materials made of glass, porcelain, china, fired clay and other ceramic materials

Knowledge of the physical and chemical structure of different antique objects

Skilled in properly cleaning glass, porcelain or other similar objects without damaging them

Proficient in choosing the method of restoration according to material, age, condition and the chemical structure of the objects

Proficient in reducing the porosity of the material and increasing its durability

Ability to restore the original appearance of the objects

Skilled in polishing surfaces to restore translucency, removing crackled glaze, etc.

Manual dexterity

Steady hand

Training in Art Restoration

Attention to detail

Observant

Meticulous

Perfectionist

Persistent

Patient

Aesthetic appreciation

Hardworking

It is not a desk job

Need not handle a team

Local travelling is not a part of this job role

Part-time work and contractual jobs maybe available

Work from home option is not available

Working hours

Museums usually work for 5/6 days a week and 6/7 hours everyday. This may vary from museum to museum

Shift system maybe available

Is the job suitable for a candidate with special needs
No

This job is not considered hazardous or dangerous

One may develop occupational hazards such as stress on eyes, mental and physical strain, joint pains, etc. if not taken care of

For candidates with experience - INR 8,000 to INR 16,000 per month

(These figures are indicative and subject to change)

The Restoration Industry in India

According to a special report Art in Perspective by The New York, the Indian art market is on the upswing. In recent years the country has seen a growing appetite for indigenously produced art. Despite this fact there are only a handful of recognized art conservation experts and so the demand for restorers in this area is always there.

India has focused more on conserving its monuments under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India. This trend has changed over the past 40 years, as now paintings and decorative arts have been garnering more attention because Indian art has begun to significantly appreciate in value. There are a lot of prominent restorers working in this area. The countrys leading conservators can be found in Delhi and Mumbai, which experience the most frenetic art activity.

When it comes to the government, the museum restoration work is typically done in-house by the museums own conservators team. This is because India has myriad laws governing public sector institutions that often prohibit private practitioners from participating in public projects.

Considering all this, it is safe to say that there is demand for a Restorer, Ceramics in the present and that there is a lot of scope in the future as well.

Museums

Private restoration firms

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)

Cities and towns across India