Conservation

Conservation services

Dawn in Shinagawa, c1831-1834, by Utagawa Hiroshige. Artwork from the Laing Art Gallery

(Image: Dawn in Shinagawa, c1831-1834, by Utagawa Hiroshige, from the Laing Art Gallery)

Our specialist Conservation team provides advice and guidance to the public and also carries out conservation work for individuals, companies and regional collections. This work usually takes place in our studios.

Download our conservation service brochure (pdf, 3.1MB)

Our conservation services include:

  • Conservation of works of art on paper, books and photographs, including mounting and framing services
  • Conservation of oil paintings and frames
  • Conservation of objects including ceramic, glass, decorative art, archaeology, models and sculpture
  • Advice about storage and packing methods and safe transport of items
  • Advice about, and treatment of, insect infestation (e.g. moth damage).

The conservation needs of each object are assessed and a treatment proposal drawn up in agreement with the client. The work is priced according to the number of hours required for the agreed level of treatment. Wherever possible the treatment is reversible and takes into account the object’s history, context and future use.


The Conservation team

Our Conservation team have received specialist conservation training and are all members of the Institute of Conservation (ICON). They're all highly experienced in their field and keep up to date in professional practice though national training events.

If you have an enquiry or an object that needs conservation, please contact one of the team:

Conservation of paintings and frames
Ana Flynn
Email: ana.flynn@northeastmuseums.org.uk
Tel: (0191) 278 1531

Works of art on paper and books and photographs, including mounting and framing
Christina Stephenson
Email: christina.stephenson@northeastmuseums.org.uk
Tel: (0191) 277 2286

Conservation of objects (glass, ceramics, archaeology, models, sculpture) and planning for emergencies
Rachael Metcalfe
Email: rachael.metcalfe@northeastmuseums.org.uk
Tel: (0191) 277 2195

Preventive conservation (including pest management and infestation, storage, transport, environmental control), condition surveys and on-site collection assessments
Dawn Stoker
Email: dawn.stoker@northeastmuseums.org.uk
Tel: (0191) 277 2247

For further information about the types of work we can carry out, or for a quote, please contact Rachael Metcalfe, Conservation Officer: rachael.metcalfe@northeastmuseums.org.uk / (0191) 277 2195