![Sample our Museum and Heritage Studies journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5945/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Museum-Heritage-Studies.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
In an era of modern science-based conservation, heritage professionals pride themselves on their objective and interdisciplinary approach in conservation decision-making. However, supposedly well-supported conservation treatment decisions continue be the topic of heated discussions in the cultural heritage field. The question is why this is still the case. It is argued that many conservation decisions are by nature subjective, and that taste or professional preference play an important role. Combined with the fear of failure based on strict interpretations of conservation codes of ethics, this often leads to convoluted and heated arguments for or against a particular treatment. The meaning of the key concepts of authenticity and originality are no longer clear to practitioners, whose working definitions are often far removed from their original dictionary definitions. It is proposed that heritage professionals begin to accept that decision-making in conservation is, for the most part, subjective. Coupled with the concept of a ‘bespoke code of ethics’, this will allow for more open discussion and more flexibility in decision-making.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Natasha Herman, book conservator at Redbone Bindery, Paterswolde, The Netherlands, for her valuable comments and critique of this essay. The author would also like to thank the reviewers for their comments and criticisms, some of which could make for interesting papers in themselves.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Disclaimer
It should be noted that the views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.