Course on marquetry

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic
Works <URL:http://aic.stanford.edu>, in partnership with the New
York University Institute of Fine Arts Conservation Center, The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Frick Collection, presents a
"Master Studies" Workshop, "European Marquetry Techniques for
Conservators," March 19-22, 2004 at the NYU Conservation Center, New
York City, New York.

Instructor: Yannick Chastang
Organizer: Arlen Heginbotham
March 19-22
9am-5pm

Course Fee: $400 AIC members; $550 non-members
Enrollment Limit: 12
Registration Deadline: February 13, 2004 (if space remains).

Participants are responsible for all meals, housing, and
transportation, and should bring their own hand tools (a complete
list will be sent prior to the workshop, and will include piercing
saw and blades).  Applicants should be able to use hand tools and
have substantial knowledge of marquetry and/or responsibility for
collections that include marquetry.  Please include resume with
registration form.  Participants meeting these requirements will be
selected based on order of receipt of registration.  The number of
registrants from a single organization may be limited if necessary
to allow for maximum participation.  Early registration is advised.
Due to the international nature of this workshop, program is subject
to change without notice.

Description: The course will review the theory and give practice in
executing several historical techniques of cutting and applying
marquetry.  This will help conservators to execute marquetry and
veneer repairs and to interpret historic marquetry with respect to
stylistic and technical aspects. The workshop will cover the history
of marquetry techniques and methods of conserving and restoring
marquetry.  Hands-on sessions will cover basic cutting techniques,
preparation of veneer, creating a Boulle marquetry panel, and
creating a floral marquetry panel.  Participants will learn how to
prepare the packet, and to cut, shade, and mount the veneer pieces.
Engraving of marquetry will also be discussed.  Visits to the
collections at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Frick
Collection will augment slide lectures and hands-on work.

Background: The course aims to explore the materials, techniques and
history of manufacturing techniques and conservation / restoration
of marquetry through practical exercises and lectures on these
different aspects.  All issues will be illustrated with examples of
projects carried out by M. Chastang or his colleagues.  The
practical exercises will focus on the manufacture of two small
marquetry panels using, for one, the technique of Boulle marquetry
and, for the other, wood marquetry, both achieved with a combination
of traditional and modern techniques where appropriate. Although
marquetry is still widely practiced as a hobby, and less widely as a
profession, the techniques usually favored in Anglo-Saxon countries,
the use of a scalpel and thin veneer, are not appropriate for
conservation.  The primary aim of the practical exercise is to
impart good dexterity with the piercing saw.  The piercing saw not
only enables the conservator to reproduce more complex designs than
with the scalpel, but opens up the possibility of working with
harder materials such as metals, mother of pearl, turtle shell, and
horn, which are all frequently found on historical furniture.
Practical experience in manufacture and a good understanding of
historical technique is essential before carrying out the delicate
and risky task of conserving marquetry decoration. Gluing and
finishing will also form part of the various topics approached
during this course as they are essential for the good conservation
of the marquetry decoration. Special arrangements have been made for
private viewings in the collections of the nearby The Metropolitan
Museum of Art and The Frick Collection. These sessions will allow
participants to inspect, at close hand, masterpieces of marquetry
illustrating the material presented in the applied and academic
portions of the workshop.

Instructor: Yannick Chastang studied cabinet-making and marquetry
for six years at the Ecole Boulle in Paris and worked at the Musee
des Arts Decoratifs before joining the Wallace Collection.  Among
other publications, he wrote Paintings in Wood:  French Marquetry
Furniture to accompany an exhibition at The Wallace Collection.  He
has lectured widely on marquetry, the history of French furniture,
and on conservation techniques for West Dean College, UKIC,
Sotheby's, Christie's, and other organizations.  He is currently in
private practice in the UK.

This program is funded by the FAIC Endowment for Professional
Development, which is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
and by contributions from  members and friends of the American
Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

For more information and registration forms, contact:

    Eric Pourchot, Program
    Officer for Professional Development
    American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic
    Works
    1717 K Street NW
    Suite 200
    Washington DC 20006
    202-452-9545, ext. 12
    Fax: 202-452-9328
    epourchot [at] aic-faic__org


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:50
                 Distributed: Tuesday, January 20, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-17-50-030
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