Ref: IIP1506

Title: Conservation of Leather [and Collections Care]12 months InternshipLocation: The Leather Conservation Centre [and The International Museum of Leathercraft] Northampton, UKSupervisor: Yvette Fletcher, ACRBursary: £16,000pa

This internship offered at The Leather Conservation Centre, with one day per week also based at the International Museum of Leathercraft (IMOLC) (1 day per week).

The Leather Conservation Centre is a major international centre for leather conservation, education and research. It offers a comprehensive service in the conservation and restoration of leather objects of historic, cultural and artistic importance for national and local museums, historic houses, libraries and private clients.

The International museum of Leathercraft (IMOLC) is one of the finest collections of historic and contemporary items made of leather in the world. It is a collection that richly illustrates how important leather has been in society across the world over a millennium and, in particular, over the last five hundred years.

The placement offers an opportunity to work on a wide range of historic objects made wholly or partly of leather and its related materials. You will be involved in all aspects of conservation, including, condition assessments and conservation proposals as well as practical treatments. The Centre receives a wide variety of objects for treatment ranging from small personal items to historic car interiors and rooms lined with gilt leather and the intern will assist with conservation of many of the projects which come into the Centre during the internship, gradually developing skills and knowledge. As part of a small team you will be expected to carry out a wide range of duties and will be fully involved in the work of the Centre.

The time spent working with the IMOLC collection will develop experience in collections care including condition reports for individual items and groups of objects, prioritising conservation options, environmental monitoring, packaging and mounting for both storage and display.

Specific training and work based activities for this internship will be: A range of conservation treatments from preventive conservation to more interventive treatments Leather chemistry and historic technology Understanding of leather and its deterioration Collections care

Version Jan 2015

'Conserve & Care'

The Leather Conservation Centre

Applicant requirements:This internship is suitable to applicants with a recognised conservation qualification. Candidates need to be enthusiastic with excellent manuals skills. Leather objects usually also involve other materials such as wood, metal or textile. Therefore, some experience of working with mixed media objects is desirable.

Please apply using the application form on the Icon website only.Closing date: 06 December 2015

Interviews will be held on: 18 December 2015Internship will commence: 11 January 2016

Version Jan 2015

'Conserve & Care'

The Leather Conservation Centre