Antiquities is an organisation engaged in the preservation of books, manuscripts, palm leaves, and other paper objects. We are experienced in the nature of paper and problems related to paper. We have a vast background of dealing with various types of paper from various places and manufactured in different ways. We essentially deal with the problems of paper objects. We also have experience in dealing with other objects like photographs, emtal, stone, cloth etc.
Antiquities is led by Mr. Avinashi Lal, Deputy Librarian(Retd.) of The National Library, Calcutta. Mr. Lal has been a pioneer in his field of Paper Conservation and has had the honour of laying the foundations of the Preservation Unit of The national Library. Till his retirement in 1991, Mr.Lal was in charge of the overall functioning of this Unit.
Mr.Lal has represented India in various international fora on conservation. He has also been instrumental in designing courses for training in conservation.
After retirement, Mr.Lal had been a consultant to the Indian Conservation Institute, Lucknow, looking after paper conservation.
Antiquities is a commercial organisation applying scientific methods to the field of conservation.
Antiquities has tried to make Preservation more accessible to collectors by applying the principles of mass production to this field. Although each object is differenc, we have found that in most cases, the origin or the nature of the problems are common.
Application of these principles has resulted in major cost and time savings.
Antiquities has a team of dedicated and skilled workmen who work under the constant supervision of Mr.Lal. Antiquities has a dedicated and skilled binding unit which takes care of all its output, keeping in mind all princiles of conservation.
