What are the most working hours you have spent on a single object?
In recent years, one of the biggest and most time-consuming projects undertaken by conservators at the National Museum has been the conservation of a 17th century gilded leather wall covering. The wall covering is part of the permanent collection exhibition at the National Museum. The actual conservation work, excluding preparatory work and tests, as well as follow-up activities, took around two years. At all times there were two or three conservators working full-time on the project. During some periods, six people were involved. In total, this was equivalent to 11,000 working hours!
The gilded leather wall covering measures about 25 square metres and we’ve cleaned it, reinforced holes, cracks and the edges with leather, and mounted it on custom-made stretchers. The conservation project has now been completed, and we’re looking forward to seeing it in the National Museum.
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- What are the most working hours you have spent on a single object?