PERSONAL STATEMENT OF ETHICS
This statement, written by Kayleigh Spring Object Conservator, is a personal acknowledgment of the ICON code of conduct and ethical guidance to
“conserve cultural heritage so that it can continue to be used for education and enjoyment as reliable evidence of the past and as a resource for future study.”
Institute of Conservation, Code of Conduct
Preliminary, the option of doing nothing during assessment and treatment of an object will always be considered. Any remedial conservation treatment will aim to find a balance between preserving the historic, aesthetic, scientific, social, spiritual and education aspects of the objects in my care.
Where practicable, treatments carried out will be reversible and use conservation approved materials and approaches. Exceptions being where composite objects or lack of current research mean approaches must be adapted. ‘Over cleaning’ an object will be seen as unethical causing loss of understanding and original material. Any replacement of parts required will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they do not distract from the original object in appearance or interpretation.
Original material on objects will only be sacrificed if any treatment, research, or testing will offer benefit to the object, whether this be understanding treatment approaches, historical detail, or material identification. Any material sacrificed will be recorded to inform future care givers to the object. Material that has become dissociated will be kept with the object for future analysis.
Preventative conservation measures will be considered at every stage of treatments and after care for the objects, ensuring advice provided is adapted to be achievable by the clients.
These priorities and approaches may vary in accordance with the needs of objects and clients. Development of skills and knowledge in practical and preventive conservation will be ongoing through research, training and skill sharing opportunities, and there will be a constant aim to approach all work with environmental sustainability at its heart.
