Merle, furniture conservator

My training began with three years’ training as a cabinetmaker, which I see today as an important foundation for all my practical work. A feeling for the materials you work with and how to handle all types of objects are examples of things that are difficult to communicate through theoretical study.

Next I spent two years working in a private furniture conservation studio. We did jobs for both the private and public sectors. After that I began a diploma course with a specialization in the ‘Conservation of furniture and wooden objects with transparent surfaces’ at a university in Germany.

Later I took a one-year advanced course to complete a master’s degree. In addition, I have practical experience from various museums, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. I’ve also conducted research both at the University and at private conservation studios.