With 20 years of international experience in both the public and the private sector, I provide expert conservation services to archives, libraries, museums, and private collectors.
I take projects in my studio located in Central Scotland and work freelance across the UK and internationally.
My practise is deeply rooted in traditional craftmanship yet constantly kept up to date with contemporary innovation in the field. I take pride in the care and attention to detail I apply to my work and take continuous professional development very seriously.
My goal is to deliver a service that is professional, reliable and personalized, designed to meet the unique needs of each client. I will discuss the project thoroughly with you and develop tailored solutions that consider your specific requirements, constraints and context.
Books & Archives
I take care of your books, from the careful stabilisation of historic bindings to more interventive treatments to safeguard highly damaged volumes.
I specialise in the preservation of archive materials, including professional cleaning and rehousing of collections and individual items. My expertise encompasses parchment and paper documents as well as maps, plans, tracing papers, wax seals, stationary bindings, and historic archival volumes.
Paper & Parchment
A variety of treatments are available to preserve paper or parchment-based items and address problems such as losses, tears, cuts, mould, or pests affected paper and parchment, staining, foxing, discolouration, disfiguring adhesive tape.
Collection Care
I conduct assessments for digitisation projects and provide treatments to stabilise objects for safe handling and imaging.
I undertake preservation surveys to inform collection care activities; I provide preservation advice and carry out in situ cleaning and rehousing of collections, small or large.
Exhibitions and display
Condition assessments and reports for loans and acquisitions are available to private lenders or institutions on either sides of the lending process.
I provide advice on display requirements for library and archive exhibits and can courier loaned objects.
Consultancy and training
I undertake assessment and treatment proposals for grant applications.
I provide training for volunteers and heritage professionals on topics including the safe handling of archive and library materials, basic cleaning, collection care activities for book and archive collections. Additionally, I offer instruction on an introduction to bookbinding and the history of the book.
Library books
Wax Seals
Challenging treatment
Complex paper repairs
Spine repair
Re-backed book
Drop-spine box
Example of bespoke rehousing of archival records. Includes handling recommendations.
Biography
Gloria Conti ACR
I hold an MA from the European School for Conservator-Restorers in Spoleto, Italy, and a BA in History and Preservation of Cultural Heritage from the University of Florence. I started my career in Italy then moved to the UK where I was part of the conservation team looking after the Scottish national archives for over 16 years.
I am accredited both in the UK and in Italy, and a member of IADA (International Association of Book & Paper Conservators), Aicrab (Italian Association of Library and Archive Conservators and Curators) and previously a committee member of the Icon Book & Paper Group.
Client Testimonials
Gloria undertook the conservation of our 120 year old book of lithographic prints by a famous artist. It was in such a bad state, that we did not dare to open it.
At our initial meeting, Gloria made a comprehensive inspection of the work and made several recommendations.
The overall impact of her careful work is quite amazing, and the restoration of a sorry looking wreck on its last legs into a spectacular example of the artist’s spiritual masterpiece, is a fine example of craftsmanship at its best.
C. Milne
Private Client
We were looking for a conservator for a conservation treatment on the first volume of the Royal Burgh of Lanark records. This was our first experience with a conservator and Gloria proved to be an excellent choice! There were some hiccups along the way due to the nature of the records and Gloria’s professionalism was outstanding: she kept us updated throughout the process and documented everything. We are extremely pleased with her work and we're looking forward to working again with her.
Elena Focardi MCLIP
Librarian