United States
Keyword
Restorer, Furniture
Minimum Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)/Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Not required
The tasks a Restorer, Furniture is expected to perform include:
Restoring and preserving historical furniture that is a part of a museum collection or similar institution, using a variety of hand tools and power tools
Applying knowledge of antique fabrics and wood furniture
Examining the furnishings to determine the type of material, extent of deterioration or damage, date of construction, etc.
Verifying the authenticity of the furniture
Installing and operating a variety of woodworking machines to fabricate, repair, reinforce and replace parts of furniture
Cutting shapes and attaching the various parts according to blueprints or drawings
Making use of hand tools
Matching various materials for colour, grain and texture
Stripping the old finish from the furnishings in the required manner
Making use of solvents and abrasives
Filling up the cracks, depressions and other blemishes using plastic wood or lacquer sticks
Treating the warped or stained surfaces to restore original contour and colour
Gluing or replacing the veneer sections, using power sander or abrasive materials
Washing or bleaching the furniture surfaces to prepare the surface for the application of the finish
Selecting coatings such as stain, lacquer or varnish according to the type of wood
Using brushes or spraying material onto the surface so as to protect the surface
Producing the desired appearance after the restoration is done
Polishing, spraying or waxing the finished pieces
Removing the damaged or deteriorated coverings from the upholstered furniture
Repairing, reinforcing or replacing components such as springs, webbing and padding
Selecting the fabric for new coverings, using the knowledge of the period and style of furniture
Following the instructions of the Curator (Museums)
Making use of tacks, sews, glues or staples for covering the furniture frame to attach the upholstery
Refurbishing the leather covering of all the furnishes, using softeners, solvents, adhesives, stains or polishes
Replacing damaged coverings with leather pieces of appropriate colour, grain and weight
Using stencils, gilds, embossing or painting designs or borders on restored pieces to reproduce the original appearance
Advising the curatorial staff on environmental conditions that are necessary for the preservation of furnishings in exhibit and storage areas
Fabricating the replicas of period furniture for using them in exhibits
Skilled in preserving different types of historical furniture
Skilled at using a variety of hand tools and power tools
Knowledge of antique fabrics and wood furniture
Proficient in evaluating the type of material, extent of deterioration or damage, date of construction, etc.
Proficient in repairing, reinforcing and replacing parts of furniture
Skilled in matching various materials for colour, grain and texture
Knowledge of the proper quantities of solvents and abrasives that are to be used
Skilled in using a power sander or abrasive material, brushes and spray material
Skilled in washing or bleaching furniture surfaces without damaging them
Proficient in replacing components such as springs, webbing, padding, 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 necessary
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 recognised 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 significantly appreciating 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, Furniture in the present and that there is a lot of scope in the future as well.
Museums
Private restoration firms
Government societies
Self-employed
Cities and towns across India
Government and private colleges and universities across India