All materials slowly decay and expire. That which we consider to be normal with commonly used objects we need to prevent with objects of artistic or historical value that we want to preserve in an unaltered form for future generations. The efforts of many experts are exerted and considerable funds are spent to stop or at least slow this process in monuments and collection objects.

One of the museums goals is to preserve collections in the highest possible authenticity, meaning in the condition in which they were made, in the original form and from the original material, with the least possible restorer and conservator interventions. We understand preventative conservation as all activities and measures aimed at minimising the damage to collections and the creation of the proper conditions for storing or exhibiting collections to limit negative influences of the surrounding climate (humidity, heat and light, atmospheric pollution, including dust).

It’s clear that preventative conservation is by far the most sparing approach to collection is considerably less expensive than the cycle of conservator and restorer interventions.

The NTM’s department of preventative conservation monitors in the depositories and exhibits of the museum the climate condition and strives to optimise it and for the equipment that monitors the climate to work flawlessly. The department also consists of a chemical laboratory that serves for the examination of past materials in connection with restoring and conserving collections. The department interprets the results of the tests for the restorers’ needs, consult the use of restorer and conservator material and the means of storing and regular maintenance of collection objects.