Claire Ridley ACR
Projects
About Me
Belgrave Conservation is based in one of the Harley Foundation Studios at Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire.
I am an experienced conservator with over 20 years in the profession, working at The Royal Collection, London, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and as a freelance conservator. I am a Lecturer in Conservation at the University of Lincoln, lecturing on the conservation of cultural heritage objects.
I have a Master of Arts degree (with distinction) in Furniture Conservation and Restoration from Buckinghamshire New University. My first degree was a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Conservation and Restoration from De Montfort University, Lincoln.
As an accredited conservator I continue to keep up-to-date with my professional development and the wider advances in the field of conservation, for the benefit of my clients and students.
Client Testimonials
I worked with Claire at the Birmingham Museums Trust. She is a brilliant frame conservator and restorer and brought many Old Master and Georgian frames back from the brink. She is highly skilled and experienced and I have no hesitation in recommending her.
Brendan Flynn
Former Curator of Fine Art, Birmingham Museums TrustI would highly recommend Belgrave Conservation. Claire took painstaking care over the conservation of three picture frames for us, two of which were very large and in quite a shabby state, their ornate mouldings having been damaged and missing in places. Thanks to Claire’s expertise they have all been restored to their former glory and have been put back on display.
Dr Samantha Howard
Curator of Arts, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, City of Stoke-on-TrentClaire has worked on number of frames for my studio, for private and institutional clients. The work ranged from minimal conservation to full restoration, including structural repairs. I have also commissioned her to make new or replacement frames for restored paintings, in an appropriate historical style. Her work is of a very high standard, tailored to the brief, budget, setting and the object. Claire is open to discussion, communicates clearly and adheres to conservation ethics. As part of this, she also provides meticulous documentation in writing and photographs.
Ruth Bubb
Director of Ruth Bubb Limited, a practise specialising in the conservation of easel paintingsBelgrave Conservation undertook the complete conservation of a pair of early oak ebonised frames for two late 17 th / early 18th English portraits. The frames were in poor condition, the joints were loose, the frame members split, with wood losses, missing and delaminating gesso and damage to the gilded sight edge.
The conservation was carried out with sensitivity, and technical expertise, achieving a very good result and we will certainly be asking Claire to work on further projects for the Studio in the future.
Diana Roberts
Director of Mark Roberts Conservation Limited, a practise specialising in the conservation of easel paintingsClaire worked for the Royal Collection between 2001 and 2003 at a time when the major focus was on the preparation of the opening of the new Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace for the Golden Jubilee in 2002. She worked on a number of significant frames and was noted for her attention to detail, quality of finish and toning. Claire was delightful to work with and her lively personality and commitment to her work and desire to achieve high standards made her an exemplary employee of the Royal Household.
David Wheeler
Senior Decorative Arts Curator, Royal Collection Trust, LondonTraining
MA (with distinction) Furniture Conservation and Restoration, Buckinghamshire New University
BA (Hons) 2:1 Conservation and Restoration, De Montfort University, Lincoln
Professionally accredited conservator (ACR) status achieved through The Institute of Conservation
Wood carving, City and Guilds qualifications, levels 2 and 3
Work History
Gilding Conservator, The Royal Collection, London
Frame Conservator, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Conservator (Decorative Surfaces), Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Associate Lecturer at the University of Lincoln
Lecturer in Conservation at the University of Lincoln
