The range of materials covered includes ancient to modern metals, gems, glass and enamels on metal. Organic related material such as ivory, bone, amber, horn, antler tortoiseshell, coral, wax and plastics are also separately treated in this section.

The objects come from the museum’s Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Neo-Hellenic collections, but also include material from the Islamic and the Toys collections. The conservators’ work spans a wide range of objects, from fragile and intricate minute artefacts to large robust and bulky constructions.

Before embarking on treatments, the objects are thoroughly assessed and examined to fully understand their material science, fabrication and interpret their state of preservation.

Responsibilities of the department range from simple cleaning procedures, to delicate removal of disfiguring residues and corrosion products to reveal, if possible, the original surface. Interventive procedures are also applied to dismantle badly preserved objects in order to stabilize and safely reconstruct with current, inert and reversible conservation materials.

Contact

6, Isiodou St, Athens, 106 74
Tel: +30 210 7214524, +30 210 7258790
Fax: +30 210 7258589