Caryatid Conservation Services, LLC, is a Chicago-based, woman-owned private art conservation practice founded by conservator Stephanie Hornbeck. This practice provides comprehensive professional services to care for and preserve sculpture, three-dimensional art objects and artifacts and a range of textile conservation services.  Caryatid Conservation specializes in assisting museums to achieve their conservation goals from assessment through treatment to installation. We also work with private clients to ensure that their objects and textiles receive museum-quality conservation care. This practice also serves clients at distance. Based on project needs, we periodically collaborate with other conservators and allied professionals in different disciplines.

From 2010-2017, this practice was based in Miami, FL, and specialized in the conservation of museum quality objects. Stephanie also founded the Miami-based practice. A full range of conservation services was offered to 15 museums throughout Florida, as well as to select private collectors in Florida, New York, and Washington, DC. More information about the Miami practice can be found on the “Projects” page.

Stephanie Hornbeck is a formally trained conservator with extensive professional museum conservation experience in both objects and textiles conservation. She is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation. Over an 18-year period Stephanie worked for the Smithsonian Institution, first as a federal employee then as an independent consultant. She earned her diploma in fine art conservation and M.A. in art history from the Conservation Center and Institute of Fine Arts at New York University. 

The name “Caryatid Conservation Services” is inspired by the caryatid, a figural sculpture, typically in the form of a female figure. Although found in many world cultures, the Classical Greek form in marble is its most well-known. Architectural caryatids can bear great loads to support large structures, as figures are multiplied. Having always appreciated the form, Stephanie found it symbolically evocative of a team of women collaborating to support a large project.

Caryatid Conservation Services appreciates the contributions of Karel Ambroz, Website Developer.