Getty Conservators Restore 18th-Century Lacquered Commode with Cross-Cultural Expertise
The Facts
On August 18, 2026, the Getty Conservation Institute announced ongoing conservation of an 18th-century French commode by Bernard II van Risenburgh that incorporates Japanese lacquer panels. The object, crafted around 1737, combines Japanese black lacquer with European Vernis Martin imitation lacquer, creating a hybrid masterpiece. Conservators including Stéphanie Auffret and Arlen Heginbotham are using advanced techniques such as X-ray fluorescence mapping and emulsion gels to remove darkened varnishes while preserving the object's complex restoration history. The team has consulted experts from France and Japan to guide treatment decisions.
The Signal
The project underscores the challenges of conserving lacquer objects that blend Asian and European traditions, a growing concern as the number of lacquer conservation specialists declines worldwide. Getty's research, including the RAdICAL workshop series initiated in 2012, aims to combine scientific analysis with traditional craft knowledge. For collectors and curators, this work highlights the importance of understanding material composition and restoration history in preserving hybrid decorative arts. The commode's conservation will inform future treatments of similar objects and support efforts to sustain lacquer craftsmanship across cultures.
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- People: Stéphanie Auffret, Arlen Heginbotham, Michael Schilling, Anne Jacquin, Tomoya Murose, Kazumi Murose, Tatsuya Matsumoto, Christina Hagelskamp
- Museums: Getty Museum, Getty Conservation Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Locations: Los Angeles, Beijing, Japan, France, Latin America
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