Furniture and Related Objects

The programme

The furniture programme provides students with the hand and intellectual skills to fully engage with objects in their care. There is a strong emphasis on traditional craft skills, and students are encouraged to enrich this study by working in an interdisciplinary spirit with other artists and craftspeople studying related specialisms. The materials science curriculum offers students the indispensable technical knowledge to understand and treat objects, and to benefit from the
journals that inform the leading edge of modern conservation.

Tutors and guest lecturers provide insight into furniture history and social context of historic interiors. Site study takes place at West Dean and in historic collections in the south of England. Tutors themselves carry out treatments, working at the highest level in their field, on objects of historical, ecclesiastical and personal importance. The small group of students, no more than 10, means a high degree of personal attention and interaction with the tutors.

Students collaborate with heritage institutions and museums such as the V&A through work placements. Programme advisers from the private and museum sectors help students develop a nuanced and intellectual sensitivity to the issues of interventive techniques. Evaluative report writing on the condition and treatment of objects is a key area of study since careful assessment is required before work is carried out and full documentation is required. Students write a series of essays and research projects to prepare for taking an active and responsible place in professional conservation. The ethical framework and standards of practice of national and international heritage organisations are studied and student membership of an appropriate conservation organisation is expected.

Established in 1972, the conservation restoration programmes are recognised by leading public and private sector organisations worldwide and the programme is supported by the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA).

The tutors

• Michael Podmaniczky
• Norbert Gutowski

Click to view the tutor profiles

The facilities

The programme is delivered in a purpose-built, furniture conservation workshop, which benefits from excellent natural and artificial light. You will have your own workbench, and storage for personal tools and equipment. Specialist facilities include a finishing room with fume extraction, stores for materials, timber and furniture. A range of professional woodworking equipment, a computer, scanner, CD re-writer and digital camera are available for student use. There is an IT suite and additional computers are sited within the college library. A new addition to college facilities is a dedicated laboratory where hands-on instruction is provided in various analytical tools which are available to students for their scientific research projects.

Programme advisors

CHRISTOPHER CLAXTON STEVENS: Director, Norman Adams Ltd.
RICHARD FREDERICKS: Member of BADA, leading authority on 18th century furniture.

Lecturers

A full list is available on request, which includes:
BERNARD ALLEN: furniture maker.
VICTOR CHINNERY: furniture historian.
MICHAEL HUNTLEY: conservator.