On 17 February 2021, Igor Karlovich Malkiel, head of the museum’s Laboratory for the Scientific Restoration of Precious and Archaeological Metals, gave a presentation in online format from the State Hermitage.
“The Hermitage is continuing a series of events comprising a museum study of the House of Fabergé as a historical and cultural phenomenon. It is taking place beneath three hashtags [that translate as ‘the museum is not a shop’, ‘an exhibition is not a pre-sale showing’ and ‘museum scholarship’],” Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovsky, General Director of the State Hermitage, stated.
The planned scholarly research includes an analysis of documents provided by Alexander Ivanov, General Director of the Fabergé Museum in Baden-Baden, a museum analysis of the works with reference to context and also technological studies that have been entrusted to the Laboratory for the Scientific Restoration of Precious Metals.
“The history of Fabergé does not occupy first place among the scope of the Laboratory’s work, but sometimes it is interesting to look at pieces from outside the Hermitage, particularly as it has fallen to Igor Karlovich to encounter works of restoration presumed to have been done by Carl Fabergé and to feel the energy of the presence of articles in the hands of restorers. On an assignment from the administration and at the request of the owner of the ‘new’ pieces, the restorers will be studying their history, something that in the case of objects of applied art is always turbulent and full of reworkings, additions, restorations and repairs… Such research is not quick. It will become the basis for detailed catalogue records,” Mikhail Borisovich observed.
In his presentation, Igor Karlovich spoke about the work of the Consultative Centre of the State Hermitage’s Department for Scientific Restoration and Conservation.
“It’s important to understand the restoration without research is impossible. We spent a lot of time in the search for unique equipment, travelled the whole world and consulted with colleagues. We selected equipment that allows us to speak about serious investigations, about analysis,” Igor Karlovich stressed.
The Hermitage’s Consultative Centre was created for purposes of public education and popularization of the use of high-precision methods of analysis, which are employed in restoration and expert examination, but also in other spheres of museum activity.
In the course of its work, the Centre engages in an exchange of experience with museums, laboratories, institutions of higher education and research organizations operating in Russia and beyond its borders. Thanks to such collaboration, specialists carry out joint researches and restoration projects, and also publish the results of their work. The Centre carries out appraisals of modern research equipment, as well as demonstrations of its capabilities.
During his presentation, Igor Karlovich cited examples of how the latest technologies are helping in the study and attribution of unique exhibits.
A recording of the event is available for viewing on the State Hermitage’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkeGg1_sQQ8&feature=youtu.be
