Restauratie Atelier Parker

Metal & Clock Conservation

Conservation and restoration of clocks and metal objects and artworks.

Services

Restauratie Atelier Parker provides conservation services for all types of metal artworks and objects, dynamic objects, clocks, and scientific instruments.

Services offered include:

  • Care and Conservation of Dynamic Objects and Clocks
    Condition assessments, cleaning and maintenance, restoration of functionality.
    All types of clocks from table clocks, to grandfather clocks are treated.

  • Conservation & Restoration
    Conservation services include the stabilization and preservation of objects and artworks. Restoration services include cleaning, filling and retouching or re-patinating of damaged or degraded areas, re-making of missing parts, re-silvering and lacquering.

Research & collection management services

  • Advice
    Consultation and assistance with care, exhibition, and storage of clock and object collections.

  • Assessments & Surveys
    Condition checks, assessments and collection surveys.

  • Object & Collections Research
    Technical and historical analysis for the identification of materials, production techniques, and historical context.

Feel free to email about possibilities and potential projects. After an initial consultation, I will provide a tailored proposal with available options. Projects have a minimum fee of €175.

About

I am a metal and clock conservator in private practice in Amsterdam and the owner of Restauratie Atelier Parker. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and theology from Thomas Aquinas College and a Master of Science and post-master's diploma in the conservation and restoration of (metal) cultural heritage from the University of Amsterdam. Originally from Los Angeles, California, I trained as a fine artist and graphic designer before moving to the Netherlands in 2020. During my conservation training, I completed internships at the Rijksmuseum, the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden, with clock conservator, Bram van Lookeren Campagne and metal conservator, Michiel Langeveld. I specialize in the conservation of clocks and historic and dynamic metal objects and artworks. I am particularly interested in developing ethical conservation approaches for Asian art, clocks, and scientific instruments.

Publications & Presentations

“Ethical considerations and
conservation of a 15th-century Tibetan statue at the
Rijksmuseum.” Reanimating Tibetan Heritage, V&A Museum, London. 2025. (Presentation)

Parker, M. and Creange, S. “Technical analysis and conservation of a 15th century Tibetan Buddhist statue." Metal 2025 Conference, Cardiff. 2025. (Conference paper).

Parker, M., Joosten, I., Van IJken, R., and Kroon, I. “Fragile foils: Fortifying historic Leyden jars for the future.” Metal 2025 Conference, Cardiff. 2025. (Poster).

“Causes and treatment of unstable metal foils on historic Leyden jars.” 43rd Scientific Instrument Symposium, Ingenium, Ottawa. 2024. (Presentation).

Parker, M. and Davidowitz, T. “From the workshops: Technical analysis of an 18th-century Chinese enamel tray.” Aziatische Kunst (4) 2024. (Article).

“Technical characterization of 18th century Chinese painted enamels in the Rijksmuseum.” Young Scholars Symposium, KVVAK/ Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. 2023 (Presentation).

Parker, M. “Foreign Porcelain: Diagnostic characterization of 18th century Chinese painted enamels.” Universiteit van Amsterdam. 2022. In collaboration with the Rijksmuseum and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE). (Master’s thesis).

Parker, M. “Asian Bezoar Stone.” Things That Talk. 2022. (Web article).

“Yearning for the bezoar stone.” The collection has its say: Students and Things That Talk Symposium, KVVAK/ Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. 2022. (Presentation).

Projects

One of a pair of metal book-ends had a missing horn. A replacement horn was cast in tin and attached using a reversible adhesive. The new horn was then retouched to match.


A Wimshurst machine, a type of electrostatic generator, had loose parts and was no longer functional. The machine was taken apart, cleaned, stabilized, and adjusted so that it once again functioned.


A French verge-fusee clock with a gilt brass case was no longer running due to a broken fusee chain. The case was tarnished and damaged. The case was taken apart and cleaned, and loose components were re-attached. The clock was cleaned, oiled, and the fusee chain was replaced.

Contact

To discuss a project or make an appointment, please contact directly by email.
Visits by appointment only.Email: info(at)parkerrestauratie.nl
Atelier: Heining 163, 1047 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands