A R C H I V A L R E S E A R C H
High quality archival research is a cornerstone of our historic buildings reports. We also undertake archival and documentary research to help private, professional and public clients to discover the history and past ownership of paintings and sculpture as well as houses.
The information we provide helps to inform the conservation, appreciation and enjoyment of historic buildings and collections.
If you would like to know more about an historic building or work of art, please contact us to find out more about our research services.
Research in Public and Private Archives
In addition to our range of historic building reports, we undertake archival and documentary research projects to help private, professional and public clients to discover aspects of the past including:
• History of a house
• History of a place or community
• Biographies of past owners
• Identity of occupiers over time
• Pedigrees for family ownership
• Genealogical research
Research projects are commissioned by owners of all kinds of houses who are interested to know the story of its past and who wish to become more informed curators of it, or sometimes by owners looking to sell their house and seeking to increase its market value.
For house histories our research begins with a full day site visit for a visual and photographic survey and notes, from which we prepare an illustrated account of how the house evolved over time, supported by sketches, floorplans and other explanatory diagrams as necessary. We then undertake detailed and comprehensive research in archives, museums, libraries and other local and national repositories to gather as much information as possible about the property, place, community and its owners and occupiers.
Once completed our standard reports are presented as a PDF, however we can also provide a high quality printed book with additional layout and illustration options.
We can also produce framed prints of key documents or plans, professionally printed on conservation art paper using archival pigment inks.
Every research commission is unique. We can discuss your needs with you and advise you on the best approach and the time required. We provide a fully costed quotation before work commences.
Provenance Research
Objects have a life from the time they are created and much of it is recorded if you know where to look. Our provenance research provides a documented history that can help to establish authenticity, attribute the work to an artist or maker, prove ownership with good title, and influence opinions of value.
Reaching far beyond the main art databases, we undertake primary research in private and public archives to find records of original payments to artists or makers, inventories to identify the house and room in which object was displayed, and receipts relating to repairs and restoration and by whom undertaken.
Our provenance research aims to identify the the people, families, galleries and dealers who possessed the object, and the dates when it came into contact with them, though the establishment of a complete provenance spanning centuries is rare and elusive.