Dotan Conservation
Cultural Heritage Object Preservation
Conservation and Collection Care Services
Dotan Conservation, LLC provides wholistic treatment and care for cultural heritage objects in service of their long-term preservation. While conservation often includes hands on work such as restoration with objects and collections, thorough examination and documentation are an ethically integral part of safeguarding an object's history, and as such will be included with each project. As every object has its unique needs, we will review each case and discuss potential work measures and possible outcomes. A written treatment/work proposal and cost estimate will be provided prior to commencing each project, as well as a final report and project photographs at each project's conclusion.
Examination and Documentation
At the beginning of each project, a written work proposal and price estimate will be provided. A final report delineating the outcomes accompanied by photo-documentation will be given at each project's conclusion.
Treatment
Dotan Conservation treats a wide range of objects materials, including but not limited to the following:
Inorganic Materials:
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Metals
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Ceramics
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Glass
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Organic Materials:
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Basketry and Natural Fibers
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Bone/ Ivory
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Feathers
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Leather and Skin
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Wood (painted and unpainted
As well as composite (multiple materials in one object), and plastics.
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Types of collections treated include:
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Archeological materials
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Contemporary Art
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Cultural heritage and history
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Decorative and Fine Art
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Folk Art
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Natural history specimen (i.e taxidermy and specimens)
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Both museum and personal objects may experience damage and degradation from the impact of time, environmental conditions and use. Various degrees of interventive (or hands-on) work can help return or preserves an object's intended appearance. Examples of common conservation treatments include:
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Stabilization of fragile surfaces (such as flaking paint or glaze)
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Structural/ Surface repair and integration (such as repairing damaged basketry)
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Surface cleaning and stain removal (such as reducing signs of vandalism)​
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Surface polishing and refinishing (such as corrosion reduction on plated-silver and other metal)
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Reassembly of broken fragments and/or recreating missing elements (such as broken ceramics and glass)
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Other services
Memorial Field Artillery Survey, Gettysburg National Military Park
Homeschool Education "Field Day", Gettysburg National Military Park, 2023
Creation of storage box for large basket
We provide both in-studio and on-site conservation services including:
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Collection Condition Assessments
Objects and materials continue to change due to the impact of time, environmental conditions, and inherent material quality. An individualized assessment of each collection item ensures the best possible outcome for their long-term preservation. The overall condition of each object is assessed, noted, and ranked in order of its treatment priority. Assessment reports serve as record for continual collection monitoring, and may also be used for funding requests and collection care planning.
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Educational Outreach
Cultural heritage conservation is a dynamic field that combines the creativity of art and the methodology of science. We provide engaging, individualized lecture and activity based programs to various audiences, including school-age and university groups, professionally-related organizations and more.
Emergency Planning and Disaster Preparedness
Both small and common occurrences such as a burst pipe, and large scale disasters such as flood or fire pose risks to collection holding institutions of any size. An established plan for a variety of outcomes is important to ensure the long-term wellbeing of collections.
We provide an individualized strategy for each institution and tailored to the collection's specific needs.
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Fundamental Collection Handling and Preventive Care Training
Introduction of museum and collection care staff to general principles of conservation, as well as guidelines for ongoing object and collection preventive care.
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A specific training for handling and care of objects and collections affected by hazardous materials (such as taxidermy and natural history collections) is also available and includes health and safety, basic handling, and preventive treatment guidelines.
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"Museum Safe" Storage and Packing Material Training
Education program for museum and collection staff focused on conservation-appropriate materials for use in cultural heritage packing and storage.
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Object/Collection Storage Solutions and Rehousing:
We advise, plan, and create individualized conservation-quality storage solutions for individual objects as well collections. This includes the creation of unique boxes to safeguard items as well as the creation of collection-wide storage organization systems.