The UP Arts Objects Conservation facility works within the Department of UP Arts conserving the art and heritage collections of the University of Pretoria.

The facility’s mission is to serve the University by advancing the understanding of the science of interventive objects-conservation and communicating the results of objects-based research to all audiences through publication and  exhibition, as well as providing a practical training ground for students. The facility is headed by two objects conservators: Sian Tiley-Nel, Chief Curator of the Mapungubwe Collection, and Isabelle Barrier Objects Conservator. Although both are trained as archaeologists, they are also trained heritage conservators, serving as members of the South African Guild of Ceramic Conservators and Restorers.

The facility services all the UP Art and Heritage Collections, predominantly those of the Mapungubwe collection, Edoardo Villa collection, Anton Van Wouw collection and the Van Tilburg collection, as well as the University of Pretoria’s vast other permanent collections. The conservation facility offers specialised preventative and interventive conservation (remedial) treatment, including professional advice on a range of materials from low-fired ceramics, including porcelain and china, stone, bone, ivory, glass, metals, to plaster. Professional museum collections management practices such as conservation of storage and displays are also managed by the Facility, which also serves as an official heritage curation facility. The UP Arts Objects Conservation Facility also provides a public service for the restoration of ceramics, metals, stone and other types of materials and offers specialist advise on heritage obejcts conservation.