Urushi and Asian lacquers in Western collections:
a symposium on scientific and conservation challenges
The upcoming symposium will bring together experts from Europe, Asia, and North America to address the current gaps between scientific research and conservation practice in the study of Asian lacquers. It builds upon the workshop “Past, Present and Future of Asian Lacquer,” held in Pisa, Italy, in 2025, where participants identified the need for stronger communication between scientists and conservators as a key priority for advancing this field.
This event provides an opportunity to review and discuss the state-of-the-art analytical techniques and conservation approaches employed in both Western and Asian institutions. A workshop, structured as an open discussion, will focus on defining future priorities and fostering more effective collaboration aimed at achieving tangible progress in the preservation and care of lacquered objects.
Hosted by the Department of Scientific Research at the British Museum, the symposium will also feature a lecture by urushi conservator Kitamura Shigeru (Kitamura Urushi Conservation Studio, Japan), who will share insights from his experience working with urushi across diverse contexts.
Organized by
Diego Tamburini (British Museum)
Francesca Pincella (Kyoto University)
Ilaria Bonaduce (University of Pisa)
Keito Mineo (Kyoto University)
Supported by
TOSHIBA International Foundation, The Kyoto University Foundation, The British Museum, International Joint usage/ Research Center (iJURC) of the Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University.
List of invited speakers
- Michael Schilling, Getty Conservation Institute, USA
- Arlen Heginbotham, J. Paul Getty Museum, USA
- Aidi Bao, Univerisity of Delaware, USA
- Stephanie Auffret, Getty Conservation Institute, USA
- Jan Dorscheid, Rijksmuseum, NL
- Dana Melchar, Rijksmuseum, NL
- Delphine Mesmaeker, Freelance conservator, Belgium
- Julie Chang, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
- Alex Owen, British Museum, London, UK
- Eliza Doherty, British Museum, London, UK
- Lucia Burgio, Victoria and Albert Museum, UK
- Valentina Risdonne, National Trust, UK
- Shayne Rivers, Freelance conservator, UK
- Kitamura Shigeru, Kitamura Urushi Conservation studio, Japan
Programme
| DAY 1 - February 12, 2026 | |
| 9:00 | Meet at British Museum North Entrance (Montague Place) |
| 9:15 - 9:45 | Registration |
| 9:45 - 10:00 | Opening Remarks |
| 10:00 - 10:50 | Session 1 - Chair: Diego Tamburini |
| 10:00 - 10:25 | Michael R. Schilling, Mike Szelewski and Arlen Heginbotham Getty Conservation Institute, USA The value of community in lacquer research |
| 10:25- 10:50 | Arlen Heginbotham1, Aidi Bao2, Joy Mazurek, Anne Jacquin, Stephanie Auffret, Catherine Patterson, Devi Ormond, Vadim Van Meenen, Johana Herrera, Herant Khanjian, Michael R. Schilling 1J. Paul Getty Museum, 2University of Delaware The study and treatment of an 18th century commode decorated with French and Japanese lacquer |
| 10:50 - 11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 - 12:45 | Session 2 - Chair: Verena Kotonski |
| 11:30 - 11:55 | Jan Dorscheid and Dana Melchar Rijksmuseum, NL From creeping clouds of silver sulfide to clearer insights: scientific and collaborative approaches to Asian lacquer conservation |
| 11:55 - 12:20 | Alex Owen British Museum, UK Layers of collaboration: The conservation of a Japanese Buddhist sculpture at the British Museum |
| 12:20 - 12:45 | Eliza Doherty British Museum, UK A technical study of a Japanese Buddhist sculpture from the Edo period |
| 12:45 - 13:45 | Lunch |
| 13:45 - 14:35 | Session 3 - Chair: Francesca Pincella |
| 13:45 - 14:10 | Julie Chang Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan Exploring Ming Chinese carved-polychrome lacquer through Integrated analytical techniques |
| 14:10 - 14:35 | Delphine Mesmaeker Independent conservator, Belgium Revealing the true materiality of Buddha EO. 1706: revisiting vegetal lacquer through the PHySICAL project |
| 14:35 - 15:15 | Coffee break |
| 15:15 - 16:15 | Session 4 - Chair: Ilaria Bonaduce |
| 15:15 - 15:45 | Valentina Risdonne1 and Lucia Burgio2 1The National Trust, UK, 2Victoria and Albert Museum Analytical insights into Asian lacquerware at the Victoria and Albert Museum |
| 15:45 - 16:15 | Rosina Buckland British Museum, UK Staging the Samurai |
| 16:15 - 17:00 | Visit to BM Scientific Lab [Optional] |
| 17:00 | Announcements and end of Day 1 |
| DAY 2 - February 13, 2026 | |
| 9:00 | Meet at British Museum North Entrance (Montague Place) |
| 9:15 - 10:15 | BM exhibition visit |
| 10:30 - 11:30 | Invited keynote - Chair: Keito Mineo |
| 10:30 - 11:30 | Kitamura Shigeru Kitamura Urushi Conservation Studio, Japan Restoration of lacquer cultural properties (in Japanese with English translation) |
| 11:30 - 12:15 | Brunch |
| 12:15 - 12:35 | Introduction to workshop |
| 12:15 - 12:25 | Shayne Rivers Independent Conservator and Researcher East Asian lacquer research: Past trends and future directions |
| 12:25 - 12:35 | Stephanie Auffret Getty Conservation Institute, USA Reflections on the state of conservation of lacquer internationally |
| 12:35 - 14:15 | Workshop Group discussions and activities |
| 14:15 - 14:30 | Closing Remarks |
| 14:45 - 17:00 | Visit to the V&A Storehouse [Optional] |
Photo Gallery
Participation
Participation in the symposium is free of charge, with coffee breaks and lunch provided. However, due to limited seating (maximum 60 participants), registration is not currently open to the public. Updates will be posted on this page should additional places become available. If you have a strong interest in attending, please contact Diego Tamburini at
Info & Venue
The British Museum - Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Located in the heart of London, the British Museum is easily accessible by public transport. The Department of Scientific Research is housed in the World Conservation and Exhibition Centre (WCEC), adjacent to the Museum’s historic building. Participants are advised to use the North Entrance on Montague Place, which will serve as the meeting point on both days of the symposium.
Download
● Executive Summary [PDF]
● Program [PDF]
● Book of Abstract [PDF]
● Poster [JPG]