Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will conserve six objects from the museum’s collection of 16th to 18th century Chinese lacquered furniture. With support from a previous IMLS grant, the museum engaged a lacquer conservator to complete a detailed conservation survey of the collection. From the resulting condition reports and suggestions for care, storage, and display, the museum staff prioritized six key objects on which to focus the initial treatment efforts as part of this project. Restoring the six pieces to displayable condition represents the first step in increasing access to and awareness of the museum’s examples of lacquer furniture production in China and expanding community engagement and education opportunities. As part of the project, the consulting conservator will provide training for the museum’s object conservation staff, enabling them to continue treatments to the remaining 19 pieces in the collection.