The laboratory at Gallery Moshe Tabibnia is located within a spacious, purpose-designed area on the gallery’s premises. It is fully equipped to conduct scientific analyses, as well as preventive conservation and restoration work on works of art. Originally established to conserve the historic textiles in the gallery’s collection, the laboratory now also offers professional services to private collectors, museums, and institutions.

Every conservation project begins with a thorough preliminary assessment. This phase determines the most appropriate treatment strategy for each object under examination. The goal is to preserve both the physical integrity and the aesthetic qualities of each artifact, along with the historical significance it embodies. For this purpose the conservation team works in close collaboration with the Moshe Tabibnia Study Center.

Full care: The “Full Care” service offers customized solutions for all preventive and corrective conservation treatments. This includes picking up the artworks from the owner’s location and returning them upon completion of the treatment. When a request is received—whether from the collection managers at the Gallery Moshe Tabibnia or from an external client—the lab team prepares a conservation condition report and a treatment proposal.

The conservation condition report outlines the results of a preliminary examination, including the materials, manufacturing techniques, and visual characteristics of the object. It identifies elements that provide evidence of its origin and history and describes its current state of preservation. The treatment proposal specifies the scientific analyses required for further evaluation and recommends, where necessary, appropriate conservation interventions. Where relevant, it also includes proposed treatments, methodology, estimated costs, and expected timelines, as well as recommendations for appropriate framing or display. All documentation is prepared by the laboratory team in response to client requests and forms the basis for the provision of conservation services.

Custody: Our custody service provides a secure storage space for antique textiles owned by collectors and clients, within the dedicated facilities of the Gallery Moshe Tabibnia. The environmental conditions—including temperature, light exposure, and relative humidity—comply with recognized conservation standards for the preservation of historic textiles.

Cleaning: The laboratory provides a complete cleaning service for historic textiles. This includes washing, stain removal, disinfection, and disinfestation, using methods such as full-immersion cleaning and low-pressure vacuum table systems. Each treatment is selected and carried out following a detailed assessment of the object’s condition and material characteristics.

Sanitation: The gallery also offers a sanitization service for antique textiles, designed to remove bacteria and other harmful agents that could compromise their long-term preservation. The process ensures thorough cleaning and sanitization of the items, as well as the safety of the surrounding environment. All procedures are carried out in accordance with strict safety protocols during the pickup, treatment, and return phases.

Restoration: The Laboratory provides customised restoration and conservation work on historic textile artifacts requiring restoration. Each project is based on a detailed assessment of the object’s condition and characteristics. The yarns and dyes used are selected based on the object’s materials, structure, and state of preservation. When reweaving is necessary, traditional techniques specific to the fabric’s cultural origin are employed.

Scientific analysis: The gallery collaborates with several laboratories at leading Italian universities, ensuring access to the most advanced scientific analysis techniques. The methods used in the study of ancient textiles—which are broadly grouped into different categories—are constantly evolving. 

Showcasing Solutions: Gallery Moshe Tabibnia is committed to striking a careful balance between conservation and exhibition, ensuring that historic textile artifacts can be appreciated while being properly preserved. To this end, our conservation laboratory performs preventive conservation treatments, including the lining of textiles, mounting them on custom-made support frames, and displaying them in specially designed cases.

Thanks to their experience and technical expertise, our conservators are able to recommend the mounting and display solutions best suited to the conservation and presentation of all types of historical textiles. The conservatory also offers custom display case design, developing tailored display solutions based on the specific conservation and display needs of each textile.