entisöinti

Entisöinti is a term used in Finnish to refer to the practice of restoration or conservation of cultural heritage, artefacts, and built heritage. The goal is to stabilize, preserve, and where possible restore the object's original appearance or function, while maintaining its authenticity and historical significance. The term is often used alongside or as a synonym for restaurointi and konservointi in museums, archives, and archaeology, though usage varies by institution.

Practices involve assessment of the object's condition, developing a conservation plan, and applying appropriate treatments. Common activities include cleaning, stabilization of fragile materials, consolidation of flaking paint or degraded plaster, reconstruction of missing parts when necessary and historically justified, and preventive conservation to slow further deterioration. Documentation is a core component, recording materials, methods, and the object's condition before and after interventions.

Ethical considerations emphasize minimal intervention, reversibility where possible, and transparency about the conservation history. Conservators aim to respect the original maker's intent and historical integrity while ensuring future accessibility.

In built heritage, entisöinti may entail structural stabilization, careful replacement or reversible repair of damaged elements, and compatibility with historical appearance. The field draws on materials science, art history, archaeology, and ethics, and is governed by professional standards established by national and international bodies.

See also: restaurointi, konservointi, cultural heritage conservation, preventive conservation.