Guidelines for the Preparation of
Post-Conservation TREATMENT Reports
SCOPE
These guidelines are intended for conservators' reports on works carried out to historic church furnishings, artworks, stained glass as well as musical and mechanical furnishings. Grants awarded by the Church Buildings Council require submission of two copies of a report prepared following these guidelines (one copy will be forwarded to the DAC).
Post-conservation reports are kept in the Cathedral & Church Buildings Division's Library (Church House, London) and available for public consultation. Reports (including initial conservation reports) should also be kept with the church's log book to allow for future consultation.
1. BASIC INFORMATION
The following details should be given:
1.1 Full name of the church, dedication, diocese and county.
1.2 Description of object and location within the building (for stained glass, please
use the CVMA numbering system).
1.3 Date, artist and identification of object.
1.4 Name and address of conservator (including sub-contractors and/or advisors).
1.5 Dates when the work was started and finished (including removal to
workshop and reinstatement, if applicable).
1.6 Reference to the conservation report prepared to support the faculty and grant applications. Please state title, author, date of survey and date of publication.
2. RECORD OF CONSERVATION
2.1 Detailed description of conservation work carried out. You should address:
2.1.1 Structural works. Please state whether the object was dismantled
and if so, how it was rebuilt or re-hung and what materials were used.
2.1.2 Treatments. Describe nature and extent of treatments, methodology and
materials used (you should provide both the chemical composition of the material and its commercial name).
2.1.3 Treatment of painted surfaces (if applicable). Describe nature of treatments, methodology and materials used (you should provide both the type of material and its commercial name). If any re-touching was carried out please list medium and identify the treated areas.
2.1.4 Reconstruction and addition of new elements. Please detail the areas of reconstruction and/or new elements introduced to the object. You should identify the sources used for reconstruction and list materials used.
2.1.5 If any works were carried out in addition to those proposed in the original survey/conservation report, please explain the reason to undertake them and choice of treatments.
2.1.6 Reports on the conservation of stained glass must also include a post-conservation diagram prepared in accordance with the CVMA numbering system and annotated accordingly.
2.2 New discoveries. Please report any relevant information discovered during the works
2.3 Further work required or suggested.
2.4 Condition of the building
2.4.1 Name and address of inspecting architect.
2.4.2 Are there any outstanding building repairs which may cause deterioration to the object? Are these stated in the church's most recent Quinquennial Inspection Report?
2.4.3 Are there concerns over the condition or use of the building (e.g. damp, heating regimen) that might affect of the object?
3. CARE AND MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
Indicate the nature and frequency of post-conservation monitoring and any maintenance treatments required. If appropriate, monitoring and maintenance issues should fit with the church's quinquennial inspection.
Please highlight any security issues that may affect the long-term preservation of the object.
4. PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD
The report must include good quality colour photographs taken before, during and after the work (stained glass should be photographed in transmitted light). Photographs are particularly valuable if any new information about the object is discovered in normally inaccessible places. Please note that all photographs must be printed on photographic paper through chemical laboratory processing. Digital images printed by means of a desktop or laser printer are not acceptable as main record as they do not have the required archival properties. However, digital images saved on a CD may be submitted in addition, provided files are saved in JPEG or TIFF formats. Files should be at a resolution of no less than 300 dpi at A5.
Photographs should be labelled, dated and the type of film and paper identified with its commercial name. The name of the photographer or copyright holder should be clearly stated in all photographs.
5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please note any additional information that may be useful for future treatments (e.g. any particular difficulties found during the work or additional information on the artist or builder).
Church House
28 May 2009
