Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

380 Conservation of Furniture
outlined above can go a long way to assuring
quality. For those who would like to pursue
this further, the literature on quality is vast but
most of it is linked in one way or another to
various published quality standards. There are
many American, British and International standards
covering all aspects of quality. Standards
for quality assurance were originally published
as British Standards in 1979 and have been
known as the BS5750 series. With a little modification
this standard was adopted internationally
by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in 1987 as ISO 9000. The
European Standards body also adopted the
standard that became known as EN29000. To
remove the confusion caused by the different
numbering systems, the British Standards
Institution (BSI) announced in July 1994, as
part of a review of quality management standards,
that BS5750 would be phased out and
replaced by a new number BS EN ISO 9000.
For further information see Ashwood (1996).
Regrettably there is no guide to the process
by which these questions are to be used – just
questions which, if answered honestly, may at
least promote integrity. It is important to
remember that issues of ethical behaviour in
conservation are not confined to intervention
but apply to all aspects of the work of the conservation
professional. For further discussion
on general philosophical issues, on the understanding
and interpretation of works of art and
the potential impact of conservation the reader
is referred to works by Angst (1980), Beck and
Daly (1994), Dorge (1987), Elwood (1980),
Ground (1989), Mackie (1977), Oddy (1992,
1994), Price et al. (1996), Sheppard (1987),
Singer (1979). De Bono (1996) provides an
excellent introduction to some tools and structures
useful in the context of making conservation
decisions.
9.3 Examination
Examination is required for many reasons. In
each case, the purpose of the examination
determines what we need to look for, which in
turn determines how we might best go about
looking. Furniture conservators should be
aware of the general principles of examination
and the techniques available so that they are
able to select the most appropriate techniques
and carry them out, or have them carried out,
in a competent manner. This section shows
some of the choices available and provides
some background information relevant to any
type of investigation. The emphasis is on simpler
methods in day-to-day use by a typical
conservation studio.
9.3.1 Purpose of examination
Thorough examination of objects should
always be undertaken before treatment but
may also be required for one or another of the
following reasons:
• To determine the suitability of object for
collections management activities – acquisition,
display, loan etc.
• To establish or refute authenticity, age, date
of manufacture
• To record condition before or after loan or
transportation
• To determine the need for active or passive
conservation
• To determine the nature and extent of previous
restoration and the success or failure
of previous conservation techniques
• To increase understanding of the causes of
deterioration
• To determine appropriate courses of treatment
• To estimate the cost of work required
• To provide a reference point before making
changes
• To provide knowledge about the materials
and techniques of artists and craftspeople.
The careful examination of furniture directed
towards materials and construction can reveal
the object’s condition and authenticity. This
investigation is essential in order to develop a
responsible concept for conservation treatment.
The preliminary stages of examination
lead the conservator to a better understanding
of the object and to the formulation of specific
questions that prompt further investigation.
Examination and documentation of the
results of examination provide reference for
materials, structure (dimensions, angles, methods
of construction), condition, which it is
essential to have before consideration of specific
treatments or conservation.
Characterization sets out to increase understanding
of the arrangement and properties of