Oil painting of a woman, half cleaned
Conservator at the Good Shepherd stained glass window
Conservator repairing a marble sculpture
Painted palace hall under scaffolding
Cleaning an oil portrait with a soft brush
Conservation Initiative for Art & Cultural Heritage

Preserving what time cannot replace

About CIACH

Science, craft and respect for the original

Every work that reaches our studio has its own history. We begin by studying its materials, its condition and what has happened to it over time, then choose the least invasive treatment that will keep it stable for generations.

Led by founder Shri M.N. Manikandan, CIACH cares for paintings, stained glass, manuscripts and sculpture for museums, institutions, places of worship and private collectors across India.

M.N. Manikandan cleaning an oil painting with a cotton swab

Paintings

  • Oil and tempera
  • Tanjore and Thangka
  • Kalamkari and patachitra
  • Icons

Explore paintings

Heritage Objects

  • Murals and wall paintings
  • Sculpture
  • Manuscripts and palm leaf
  • Textiles, frames and mounts

Explore heritage objects

Stained Glass

  • Historic window restoration
  • New window design
  • Installation

Explore stained glass

What We Do

Conservation Services

Our Work

Selected Projects

Our Process

How We Work

01
Magnified view of a damaged, flaking wall surface

Assess

On-site evaluation and a detailed condition report.

02
Portrait painting with a cleaned area revealing the face beneath dark varnish

Treat

A proposal agreed with you, followed by treatment using appropriate materials.

03
Stained glass panel on a light table in a studio

Document

A final report and clear advice on future care.

Memberships

Professional Bodies

  • International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC)
  • Indian Association for the Study of Conservation of Cultural Property (IASC)
Experience

Institutions We Have Served

  • Archaeological Survey of India
  • Public Works Department, Chennai
  • University of Madras
From the Studio

Insights

Your Art. Our Responsibility.

Have a work that needs care?