Welcome to Conservation Services

 ® Collective Trade Mark of PACR Accredited Conservator-Restorer

A Conservation and Consultancy Service for Archaeological, World Art, Decorative, and Historical Objects

Julia Park-Newman is an Institute of Conservation accredited museum conservator restorer with 40 years experience in conservation and collection care.

Based in East Anglia and working Nationwide, Julia provides museum conservation and restoration services across the heritage sector, for churches, and for private individuals.

John Newman Archaeological Services, specializing in archaeological evaluations and monitoring related to planning applications can be contacted through the contacts page.

Conservation of
  • Archaeological conservation: from investigative conservation of metals and organic materials - to preparation and specification for display
  • World Art collections: organic materials such as painted wood, papier mache, leather, feathers, ceramics, and composite materials
  • Decorative arts: porcelain, glass, lacquer, gilding, polychromy and artist's materials
  • Historic Objects: social and industrial, composite and modern materials
Collections care and management
  • Condition assessment surveys
  • Preventative conservation
  • Practical and theoretical training
  • Preparation for display, storage and transit
Julia Park-Newman

I believe that objects of historic and aesthetic importance should be preserved by attention to their care and environment, and through minimal interference. Treatments are always researched and chosen with the future of the object in mind. All work is undertaken either on site or in my secure and fully insured studio where visitors are welcome by prior appointment


Collections Management, Care and Training

Collections Management, Care and Training
Ethnographic collection (loom and talisman necklace) packed for transit.
Collections Management, Care and Training
After a morning looking at collection care and packing methods this group of volunteers prepared objects for packing. The objects were then moved to store whilst building work was carried out on the Museum. Conservation Services also set the tender for a new storage facility.
Collections Management, Care and Training
Reconstruction of a crushed and distorted Anglo-Saxon horse head. Also conservation to archaeological small finds and consultant for the display environment and installation.
Collections Management, Care and Training
Here Conservation Services worked as the Consultant to supply a Collections Management Plan and compatible Access database  for a condition audit which was designed for both training and use by volunteers.  The Cathedral made a successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

Archaeology

Archaeology
Radiograph of silver inlay lettering and design on a medieval sword.
Archaeology
This Roman leaf votive had been encapsulated within thick plastic sheets. It was supported throughout removal from the plastic sheets,  conserved and re-backed using reversible materials.
Archaeology
This bowl was excavated to reveal possible food remains which were recorded and sent for analysis. The bowl was then conserved and reconstructed.
Archaeology
A visible infill on a Kylix.

World Art

World Art
This item was abraded with loss and lifting of paint/pigment and was dirty. After surface cleaning and stabilistion of the lifting paint, the missing lower half of the cow's hind leg (nearest to view) was reconstructed.
World Art
The handle and spout of this Nigerian painted ceramic was restored to its original position.
World Art
The casque of this Rhinoceros Hornbill was in four pieces and detached (with sections of old repair missing). The old animal glue and shellac repairs were removed from the hornbill and the casque reconstructed re-attached to the beak.
World Art
This divination bowl from the Yuroba tribe was in five pieces and was reconstructed with minimal interference or replacement. A head (right) was carved and painted to emulate the missing head. The original hair section was then able to be returned to position.

Decorative Arts

Decorative Arts
This magnificent ivory Buddha was cleaned to reveal the gilt remains. The ivory was stabilised to arrest further splitting.
Decorative Arts
The apron to this papier mache table was broken and lost in three areas. This was replaced with a visible repair. The base of the table was badly cracked. The cracks were stabilised and filled to match the original. The table can now stand for display.
 
Decorative Arts
This Tang dynasty horse was cleaned to reveal remaining pigment. Old repairs were either removed or reduced and strengthened. Areas of missing ceramic were infilled and touched in to match.
Decorative Arts
This enamelled ceramic arrived in ten pieces. It was reconstructed so that it can be hung for display in the manner conceived by the artist.

Historical Objects

Historical Objects
This papier mache doll had lost a shoulder (left), which was replaced and the doll re-strung.
Historical Objects
Cleaning of church monuments as part of a project to bring a redundant Church back to life.
 
Historical Objects
Bone and geological specimens mounted on display.
Historical Objects
Exploratory removal of layers of paint to ascertain whether a mural was extant underneath.
 
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