Furniture, Wooden Objects and Material Combinations

The "Conservation and restoration of furniture, wooden objects and material combinations" course of studies was first established in the winter semester of 1991/92. During the first years, the main focus of the object area was on bourgeois and courtly furniture with refined surfaces, by which we mean material visibility: veneer editions, marquetry made of tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, amber, ivory and transparent cover coats. Since then, the spectrum has opened up widely, with the result that the studies now also include painted and carved furniture and interior decorations as well as works of historical carpentry, models, toys and equipment.

The exotic materials used in European handicrafts since the Middle Ages allow a smooth transition to the real-life tradition of non-European cultures. This examination of material combinations of the most varied kinds, with wood and other fibre plants playing a major role, is developing into a new setting for the course of study.

Quite the opposite to this is the discovery of the modern age, materials and living utensils of the first half of the 20th century by the conservation sciences, which is carried out together with the wood study courses of the other German universities and opens up new horizons of knowledge about our recent past.

The contents of environmental analysis and damage prevention are taught jointly to students from all fields of study, as is the broad basic knowledge in art and natural sciences, materials science and materials history.
The specific methodology and systematics of recording, investigating and documenting, securing, handling and maintaining the object and material groups to which the field of study is dedicated are taught separately in theory and practice. The concrete case study, the illustrative material provided by the professional practice, is the linchpin for the acquisition of skills and competences in the field of prophylaxis. Drawing, sculpting and reconstructing historical-artistic techniques promote artistic sensitivity, fine motor skills and train the eye.
Interactive forms of teaching, colloquium, project work, workshop and presentation help to develop initiative, communication and team spirit. An additional interactive Internet course promotes independent learning and media competence. The project weeks, which form a highlight every semester, serve to implement the study contents under the real conditions of museum, exhibition and monument conservation practice. As a result, numerous co-operation partners bring their tasks closer to the field of study. Practical work on the original culminates in a four to six-month practical phase in the last third of the Bachelor's programme, which students spend in leading workshops and institutions in Germany and abroad. The exchange within the framework of the diverse SOKRATES partnerships with European universities with restoration training also promotes student mobility and offers extended and different educational opportunities.