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Preserving the Past

Period Furniture Conservator Alton Bowman Keeps History Alive With His Artistry

Who: Alton Bowman

Title: Furniture Conservator and Maker

Where: Flower Mound

Favorite Aspect of His Work: "I like to resurrect a piece, to restore it to its former glory, as intended by the maker."

For five decades, Alton Bowman of Flower Mound has been bringing history to life by conserving period furniture. His work appears in museums, universities and private collections across the country. This month, Alton shares his storied career and the importance of preserving objects from the past so they are not lost to history.

Tell me about your work as a furniture conservationist. 

Furniture conservation requires expertise in a number of specialties. If you consider that you are likely to see anything that has been made in the last two or three hundred years, from anywhere in the world. That covers a lot of territory. Basically, that includes knowing woods and cabinet making, finishes, veneering, carving and gilding. 

What inspired you to do this kind of work? 

I studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. The courses included drawing, painting, sculpture and art history. It was a very good preparation, as furniture requires all of those skills. When I returned to Dallas, I discovered a strong need for furniture conservation. I continued my education with seminars at the Smithsonian Institution and became a member of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, which allowed me to work for museums.

What aspect of your work do you love the most? 

Really, conservation is a blend of art, history and science. As you acquire skills and experience, you are able to work on the more rare and expensive pieces for museums and private collections. These are my favorite projects. My favorite era is 18th century French. It is the most challenging and rewarding. But there is quality in every era.

You work as an Emergency Assistance Conservator. Can you explain what this  is? 

Sometimes disasters like hurricanes on the Texas coast, or even severe weather as we experienced (in February) will require prompt attention to reduce damage.

What sorts of pieces do you now conserve? 

I have just finished a turn of the 20th century French commode, a chest of drawers, by Francois Linke for a private client. In the past few years, I have restored a pair of tables for the foyer of the Governor’s Mansion in Austin and the frame for the $23 million Poussin painting purchased by the Kimbell Museum. It was included in the Poussin retrospective at the Louvre. Also in Austin, I restored the Supreme Court bench at the Capitol building.

Most of my museum work is for the DMA, Meadows Museum, the Kimbell and the Amon Carter in Fort Worth. But I have also done work for the Gilcrease in Tulsa, the LA County Museum and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

What are some of the oldest pieces on which you have worked? 

The 1600s is about as early as I am likely to see, frames from contemporaries of Rembrandt in the golden age of Dutch art.

Your client list is extensive. Who has been the most interesting client? 

I did some work for Van Cliburn. He had purchased the Kimbell estate, so I get to see a lot of incredible houses and collections. But I did not get to meet him. As with many of the wealthy collectors in the area, I usually see their designers or house managers. My favorite customers are usually professionals, and I can establish long working friendships with them when they acquire new works. I like working for museums; they usually have important pieces, and I can go see them whenever I want.

The furniture pieces you conserve are like pieces of art. Do you consider yourself an artist? 

I do consider myself an artist, preserving the work of other artists and extending the life of their work for the future. You have to be on the skill level of the artist that made them.

Why is it important to conserve historic pieces? 

You never know what objects will be important in the future so you must treat them all equally. If they are not cared for, they will be lost to history. We live on through the objects we make.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work? 

Sometimes pieces are so far gone, that their original intent is lost. I like to resurrect a piece, to restore it to its former glory, as intended by the maker. Often, these are very dramatic before and after pictures. The art of the conservator is knowing what to do and when. Bad conservation can ruin a piece’s value, or you can increase the value many times over the cost with an appropriate restoration.

In addition to restoring furniture, you also design pieces of your own. Tell me about your custom designs.

My original pieces are sometimes inspired by projects in for restoration. If I like a piece, I will make measured drawings and patterns  from it, and make a new piece, maybe change the wood or add inlays. I make writing desks that are completely original, inspired by French furniture. I like to use inlays of native Texas wildflowers. Sometimes customers will ask me to build a dining table or a special need. My latest custom was an Art Deco style dining table in rare tropical hardwoods. It won a prize at the Furniture show in Kerrville.

For more information about Alton Bowman Studio Conservation, visit AltonBowman.com.

 

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