Lynne Edge ACR

06 Jun 2025

Our extensive knowledge and experience of the heritage industry has helped us develop services that answer the needs of today’s clients in both the public and private sectors.

We can provide a fully professional, trusted and reliable service to meet the conservation-restoration needs of your object and/or collections, from single treasured family heirlooms to priceless historical items and large public collections.

Training

September 1990 - July 1991

Diploma in Art and Design Foundation Studies, Liverpool Polytechnic

September 1991 - July 1994

Hons Degree - Bachelor of Arts, West Surrey College of Art & Design, Three-Dimensional Design-Specialism Ceramics

September 1995 - July 1997

September 1990 - July 1992 B.A.D.A (British Antique Dealers Association) Post Graduate Diploma in The Conservation & Restoration of ceramics, glass and related materials.

Work History

January 1997 - February 1997

Undergraduate work placement at the British Museum, Ceramics and Glass Conservation Department

February 1997 - March 1997

Undergraduate work placement with Martin Foster, Private Antiquities Restorer, London.

September 1997 - March 2008

Section Head of Ceramics & Glass Conservation, Conservation Division, National Museums Liverpool

I designed, set up and managed two conservation laboratories over this 16-year period. I was responsible for the preventive and interventive conservation of the museums’ ceramics and glass collections; totalling approximately 57,000 items. Much of my work concerned preparing objects for exhibition. Other aspects of my job included: improving storage conditions; surveying collections; the specification of transportation crates; preparing objects for national and international loan; installation of exhibitions and contributing to the education and public programmes of the National Conservation Centre.

November 2006 - April 2010

Course Tutor: Ceramic Restoration & Conservation Course, Burton Manor College, Cheshire

This course was validated by the National Open College Network. It ran for 7 weekends (Friday - Sunday) over each academic year.

March 2008 -

EDGE Conservation & Restoration Services – self-employed

I left the National Conservation Centre, Liverpool to set up my own private conservation and restoration business, specialising in the conservation-restoration of ceramics and related materials. My clients come from both the public and private sector; auction houses, antique dealers, local and regional museums, universities, borough councils, churches, and private individuals. A sample of projects to date includes:

I was selected and engaged as the specialist ceramic conservator by the National Museums Liverpool to condition check c80 ceramic objects at on-site stores in Xi’an, China, in preparation for transport to Liverpool for display.
The removal, conservation, fabrication of a bespoke mounting and installation system and installation at the Museum of Liverpool of Galkoff’s Jewish butcher's shop front.
Surveys of ceramics and glass items for the National Trust from the collections at Snowshill Manor, Hill Top House, Sizergh Castle, Tredegan House, Penryhn Castle, Dunham Massey, Powis Castle, Chirk Castle, Erddig, Kedleston, Packwood House, Lyme Park and Shugborough Hall.

The First Emperor & the Terracotta Warriors, World Museum Liverpool

On-site condition assessments of ceramic items in China and then their installation at World Museum Liverpool.

The First Emperor & the Terracotta Warriors, World Museum Liverpool

I was engaged as the specialist freelance ceramic conservator by the National Museums Liverpool to condition check c80 ceramic objects at on-site stores in Xi’an, China, in preparation for transport to Liverpool for display. This included 8 Terracotta Warriors, a kneeling figure, a horseman and full-size terracotta horse.

The First Emperor & the Terracotta Warriors, World Museum Liverpool

All items were re-condition checked on their arrival and then installed at World Museum Liverpool to form the First Emperor and Terracotta Warriors Exhibition (9 February – 28 October 2018). During un-packing, old repairs on a Han Dynasty bull had weakened and I undertook interventive conservation at the request of the Project Manager of the Shaanxi History Museum, to enable display. I returned to China in November 2018 to re-condition check all the ceramic and stone items on their return.

Galkoff’s and the Secret Life of Pembroke Place, Liverpool

The removal, conservation, fabrication of a bespoke mounting and installation system and installation at the Museum of Liverpool of Galkoff’s Jewish butcher’s shop front.

Galkoff’s and the Secret Life of Pembroke Place, Liverpool

Edge Conservation Services undertook the conservation of the tiles removing them from the building in freezing weather in December 2017. As it had not been possible to undertake detailed investigations prior to starting on-site, we were not able to accurately predict the exact methodology the would work most effectively for the safe removal of the tiles.

Galkoff’s and the Secret Life of Pembroke Place, Liverpool

After carefully labelling and applying support and protection to any damaged tiles, the tiles were removed by cutting along grout lines with a diamond cutting blade. As the tiles were removed, they were wrapped and stored in labelled trays ready for transport.

Galkoff’s and the Secret Life of Pembroke Place, Liverpool

Back at the studio the work began to remove dirt by brushing and vacuuming, and steam cleaning where necessary. Once the tiles were clean, fragments were consolidated and re-bonded. In some cases, areas of tiles were missing, and these were remodelled in plaster of Paris by casting replica sections using moulds from extant tiles. The cast sections were then retouched to blend sympathetically with the original glaze.

Galkoff’s and the Secret Life of Pembroke Place, Liverpool

While most of the tiles could be cleaned and consolidated, using as much original material as was available; some tiles were completely missing, and needed to be replicated. This was undertaken by Craven-Dunnill Jackfield Ltd.,a Shropshire-based company specialising in the reproduction of heritage tiles and architectural faience. Shape, size and colour matches were ensured by basing the replicas on existing examples.

Galkoff’s and the Secret Life of Pembroke Place, Liverpool

To recreate a whole shop front a steel frame was constructed onto which mounted ‘trays’ of tiles were fixed, forming a modular system, a total of eighteen trays of tiles making up the façade. Each tray contained tiles mounted onto lightweight Cellite 220, with fixings embedded into the reverse. The shop front was installed in the Museum of Liverpool in September/October 2018, after nine months of meticulous conservation.

Client testimonials

Lynne Edge undertook work for us on three important bisque Derby figure groups. They had 30 years worth of ingrained dirt and old repairs which had become unsightly. Lynne's substantial experience was reassuring with such fragile ceramic objects. Lynne kept us updated on progress and on completion provided a treatment report and before and after photographs.

Moira A Lindsay
Assistant Curator (Art), University of Liverpool, Art & Heritage Collections, Victoria Gallery & Museum

Whether it is an elaborate porcelain figure, an oriental plate, or a Victorian glass table centre, the standard of Lynne's work has always been excellent and of museum standard. The accompanying reports are detailed and professional.

Peter Woods
Antiques Dealer, Ryan-Woods Antiques, Liverpool

Lynne Edge is a talented and experienced ceramic restorer. The professional restoration that she has done in the past for the Bluecoat Display Centre has always been to the highest possible standard. She works along strictly ethical lines and always gives an honest appraisal before attempting any job. I have always found her very straightforward and senstive, and would whole heartedly recommend her skills.

Maureen Bampton
Director Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool

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