ASSISTANT CONSERVATOR (Frames & Furniture)
THE WALLACE COLLECTION
The Wallace Collection is a collection of the fine and decorative arts formed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by four successive Marquesses of Hertford and the 4th Marquess’s son, Sir Richard Wallace. It was left to the British Nation in 1897 and opened as a national museum in June 1900 in Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1, a grade II listed building in central London. The museum is internationally famous for its collection of French eighteenth-century art, European princely arms and armour and for its Old Master paintings.
It is managed by a Director who reports to a board of Trustees appointed by the Prime Minister and is financed by a combination of grant-in-aid from central government and self-generated income.
The museum launched a Ten Year Plan in the autumn of 2013 covering the period 2014-2024. During this decade, the museum will aim to develop its position as a major international research centre, to widen its public appeal to different audiences and to modernise its infrastructure. It is intended that the research centre will enable the Wallace Collection to become the leading centre for research on French eighteenth-century art and European arms and armour.
THE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
The Conservation Department presently consists of a Head of Conservation, one senior Furniture Conservator, one Metals Conservator and a Conservation Craftsman/Technician. The Department carries out both furniture and metals-related conservation work in-house, monitors environmental conditions within the building, and is responsible for the safe moving of all art-objects in the Collection, including the installation and de-installation of temporary exhibitions. The aims of the Conservation Department are as follows:
- To safeguard the Collection, making it accessible for the present generation and preserving it for the future
- To carry out research with the aim of improving the standard and practice of conservation and the display of works of art, whilst adding to our knowledge of their original design and construction
- To help maintain Hertford House and its services, ensuring a safe environment for the display of all works of art in the Collection
OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE POST
The post-holder will work as a member of a small team, in general support of the Conservation Department, assisting primarily the Senior Furniture Conservator and Conservation Craftsman/Technician in carrying out conservation treatments on our very important collection of gilt-wood picture frames and historic furniture (including metal furniture mounts and some sculpture). It is therefore vital that the candidate has experience of gilt wood and gilding conservation, together with cabinet-making and furniture conservation in general. It is additionally of the utmost importance that the candidate be physically capable of helping in the installing and de-installing of exhibitions, as well as general art-object handling throughout the Collection.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Undertake the conservation of picture frames, furniture, and other works of art in the Collection as required, under the direction of the Head of Conservation, Conservators, and the Conservation Craftsman/Technician
- Working to a policy of minimum intervention, carry out conservation treatments to stabilize deterioration, and (where appropriate) undertake restoration to the highest possible standards, with continuous record-keeping (both photographic and written)
- Prepare full post-conservation reports, for approval by the Head of Conservation and the Head of Collections
- Assist as required in the specialist tasks of moving furniture, pictures, and other art-objects for gallery display, for photography, and for general study
- Assist in the mounting and de-mounting of special exhibitions
- Work within current Health and Safety regulations
- Assist in performing any miscellaneous duties which may require to be carried out by the staff of the Conservation Department
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants should have completed a relevant conservation training course and should be in possession of an appropriate conservation qualification. Previous experience within the field of frames, furniture, and gilded wood conservation is essential. A key factor in the selection process is the candidate’s commitment to work not only on frames and furniture, but also in all/any general areas of work in the museum, and to develop as broad-based a work experience as possible. The role will require frequent lifting/moving of heavy objects. In addition to the required technical skills, the post-holder will also need to have:
- A proactive, can-do attitude
- The ability to work as a member of a small team
- An ability to learn quickly on the job
- The physical ability to lift and move heavy objects
- Confidence and ability whilst working at heights
- Flexibility and a proven ability to ‘multi-task’
- Excellent written and spoken communications skills in English
- Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Office
REPORTING To: Head of Conservation
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Director
Head of Collections
Head of Conservation
Senior Furniture Conservator and Conservation Craftsman/Technician
Curators
Curatorial Assistant
REMUNERATION
The salary for this post will be in the region of £20,000 per annum depending on experience.
In addition, the post-holder will receive 25 days paid annual leave, plus 2.5 ‘privilege’ days, membership of an occupational pension scheme, and an interest-free season-ticket loan (after six months’ service).
For all posts in the Conservation Department the normal working week is five days (Monday to Friday), and the normal working day is from 9am to 5pm, with an hour between 1.00 and 2.00pm for lunch. However, some flexibility will be expected, since the need to carry out occasional evening and (more rarely) weekend duties may be required.
Deadline for applications: 3 Oct 2014
Date of 1st interviews: w/c 13 Oct 2014
If you have not heard from us by the date of the first interview, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. An application form can be found and downloaded from our website www.wallacecollection.org.
Alternatively, you can write to the HR Department for a postal pack:
The Wallace Collection
Hertford House,
Manchester Square
London,
W1U 3BN
The Wallace Collection is an equal opportunities employer