artLABOR ® and the technical examination
We, the wood and furniture conservators at the Central Conservation Workshop in Berlin, conduct a technological analysis to learn more about the construction and history of an antique piece of furniture, a work of art, or a wooden object. The results of our investigation not only open up a fascinating window into history for both you and us, but are also an absolute prerequisite for developing a well-founded conservation or restoration strategy that best meets the individual needs of your object.
When is a technical investigation appropriate?
Would you like to learn more about the origins, production, and history of an object—including how it has aged, been used, and restored?
Would you like to know how to best maintain your property to protect it from damage, pest infestations, and deterioration?
In all these cases, we strongly recommend that you take advantage of the general preliminary examination and technical assessment offered by the Central Restoration Workshop Berlin (ZRW Berlin). No detail or secret escapes the trained and experienced eye of our wood and furniture conservators at ZRW Berlin, led by certified conservator (Univ.) and carpenter Philipp Westebbe.
What can be determined through a technical investigation?
We are conducting this technological analysis to learn more about the following aspects:
- Manufacturing techniques for the piece of furniture, wooden object, or work of art
- Technical Structure of the Object Requiring Conservation or Restoration
- The Object’s Unique History of Aging and Restoration
- Art-historical classification of the object
Further technological research also covers aspects such as:
- Wood Species Identification
- Pigment Analysis and Binder Analysis
- Dating Furniture and Wooden Objects
Technological findings regarding typical materials, techniques, and design elements help us to classify the object within a specific stylistic period from a cultural-historical perspective and to shed light on everyday historical production practices. To arrive at our conclusions, we then employ various scientific analytical methods, such as chemical analysis of binders, UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, and FT-IR spectroscopy.
The more we know, the more effective the measure will be
As the Central Restoration Workshop in Berlin, we have decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of original materials, historical construction methods, manufacturing techniques, and original recipes. Through our technological analysis, we are not only able to reliably date your work of art, piece of furniture, or interior decoration to a specific art-historical style period, but also to provide you with in-depth information on materials science, recommend appropriate care measures tailored to your specific needs, and create personalized care instructions.