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Sophie Rowe, BA (Hons), MSc, ACR

Conservator, The Polar Museum

Biography

Sophie read ASNaC and History of Art at the University of Cambridge and then trained as a conservator at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. She specialised in the conservation of organic artefacts while working at the British Museum, and developed a subspecialty in conserving Egyptian polychrome objects, particularly cartonnage. She is especially interested in creative mounting methods for fragile objects – it is amazing what can be achieved with LEGO! Her current work at the Polar Museum involves caring for a whole collection which is both culturally and materially fascinating and diverse.

Career

2012-to date: Conservator at the Polar Museum, University of Cambridge
2008-12: Conservator at Museum Conservation Services in Duxford, working on projects for private clients including the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Canterbury Museums, Jesus College, Cambridge and Brighton and Hove Museums.
2006-12: A series of conservation projects at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, treating complex objects from the Antiquities collection for display.
2004-5: Project conservator at the National Museum of Denmark
1999-2004: Conservator, The British Museum, Organic Artefacts Section.

Qualifications

2008: Accredited Conservator Restorer (ICON)
1999: MSc (Distinction) Conservation for Archaeology and Museums, UCL
1991: BA(Hons) Cantab

Publications

Selected publications

Rowe, S., Siddall, R. and Stacey, R. (2011), Roman Egyptian gilded cartonnage: technical study and conservation of a mummy mask from Hawara. In Decorated Surfaces on Ancient Egyptian Objects: Technology, Deterioration and Conservation, J. Dawson, C. Rozeik. & M. Wright. Eds, Archetype, London
Dawson, J., Rowe, S. (2010 ), External supports and coffin trees: experiences in conserving and displaying Ancient Egyptian coffins at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Conservation and the Eastern Mediterranean: Contributions to the 2010 IIC Congress, Istanbul, p.282-282.
Rowe, S., Rozeik, C. (2008) The use of cyclododecane in conservation. Reviews in conservation Vol 9, 17-31
Rowe, S. (2004) The effect of insect fumigation by anoxia on textiles dyed with Prussian blue. Studies in Conservation Vol.49, 259-270.

External activities

Editorial Panel member of Journal of Conservation
Accredited member of the Institute of Conservation (ICON)
Ordinary member Nordisk Konservator Forbund (NKF)
Member of East Anglian Conservators Forum (EACF)

Scott Polar Research Institute

University of Cambridge