Marine Artifacts

One of our more notable projects was the conservation of artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic. While conserving these artifacts, we had the pleasure of working with the Smithsonian Institution to analyze organic materials found in and around the artifacts.

Our accomplishments have been on display at various museums displaying the Titanic collections. Our professional team, led by Gordon Ponsford, has developed our state-of-the-art desalinization lab, which enables us to maintain the process of marine conservation from the moment the artifacts leave the ocean. The process includes on-site assessment of artifacts, desalinization, and stabilizing of recovered organic and inorganic materials.

Furthermore, we can curate collections further once they leave our conservation labs. This "start to finish" approach means that our clients can be confident that all aspects of the conservation are carried out with dedication, professionalism, and strict adherence to proper conservation methods.

The abundance of marine artifacts ensures that there will always be a need and a desire to recover, preserve, study, and display these historical treasures. Our first-class approach to marine conservation makes Ponsford the preeminent choice for restoring any maritime archeological object at any location and maintaining those collections of artifacts.

Our conservation projects range from large scale, such as the Titanic and the San Miguel, part of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha fleet, sunk off the Florida Keys in 1622, to the individual treasure collector combing the beaches of the Florida Keys with a metal detector, and everything in between. To this end, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team comprising the best minds from metal conservation, engineering, and archeology.

At Ponsford, we utilize the most contemporary conservation methods available in the private and corporate markets. Our focus is conserving the historical quality and character of collected artifacts and preserving them for scientific study and public and private collections.

Our motto: "Restoring the past for the future," clarifies our determination to preserve historical integrity for posterity.