ABSTRACT
Treatment ethics and decision making, or the ability to select the most appropriate treatment in a particular context, is one of the key skills we develop as professional practitioners. Many factors influence the selection, and the final treatment is the outcome of a synthesis of physical, social and ethical factors. Conservation that centres values and people has become the new standard for twenty-first-century practice. The case studies by Guidess; and Keefe, Irvin and Urick show how these evolving approaches are put into practice at two different institutions. Textile conservation often includes scholarly examination of evidence and information from objects. Three case studies by Gentle, Eaton and Peacock show how such investigation is a form of conservation in itself – contributing to our understanding of physical and intangible qualities. Examination often seeks to address questions about authenticity and significance. Three case studies by Giuntini; Eastop and Morris; and Cotte show how our approach to these questions can shape more intentional treatments.
