Maickel van Bellegem ACR is a goldsmith and metals conservator who has worked both independently and in museums, notably the Rijksmuseum, the British Museum and the V&A Museum. He comments, "Having supervised students during their placements at the British Museum previously I'm very much looking forward to working with students building their expertise in both craft skills and conservation techniques."

He has worked on a range of metal objects for display, loans, storage and research purposes, and has published regularly. Topics of publications included historical manufacturing techniques such as patination of alloys in 19th century Burmese lime boxes and their conservation, authentication, as well as developing conservation treatments.

Maickel is an accredited member of Institute of Conservation, a member of the International Council of Museums, the Historical Metallurgy Society, and the Nautical Archaeological Society.

He is the lead tutor for:
FdA Historic Craft Practices - Metals
Graduate Diploma Conservation of Metalwork
Postgraduate Diploma Conservation of Metalwork, leading to MA Conservation Studies
All are awarded by the University of Sussex

West Dean College is part of The Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust also comprising West Dean Gardens, West Dean Estate and the West Dean Tapestry Studio. Charity No. 1126084.
All photography is copyright free for editorial purposes.
Research publications in English by Maickel van Bellegem:
M. van Bellegem, Philip Kevin, Manuela Lehmann, Neal Spencer. 'On-site conservation at Amara West in Sudan: 80 years in the making.' In: Engaging Conservation: Collaboration Across Disciplines. Penn Museum Conference October 2016; expected Archetype Publications 2017
A.Meek, 'Chapter 13 Technical Examination of the Waddesdon Bequest: Recent Discoveries, Future Avenues', in: British Museum Research Publication 212: A Rothschild Renaissance: A New Look at the Waddesdon Bequest in the British Museum, P. Shirley and D. Thornton (eds.), London 2017, pp155-167.
M. van Bellegem, D. Thornton, P. Buck and S. La Niece, 'Conservation treatment and technical observations on two objects from the Waddesdon Bequest with life castings' in: The British Museum Technical Bulletin (9) London, November 2015, pp.15-23
M. van Bellegem and L. De Beer, Chapter 16 Conservation history and technical observations on the Hildesheim Portable Altar, in: Matter of Faith, J Robinson, A. Harnden and L. De Beer (eds), 2014, pp.126-136 http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Matter_of_Faith_2.pdf
P. Craddock, J. Ambers, M. Van Bellegem, C.R. Cartwright, J. Hudson, S. La Niece, M. Spataro, The Olokun head revisited, in: Afrique: Archéologie & Arts - 9, Paris 2013, pp.13-42.
M. van Bellegem, Q. Wang, and P. Fletcher, 'A scientific study and experiments for electrolytic reduction of corroded lead inlays on Japanese lacquer objects in: Metal 2010. P. Mardikian, (ed), Charleston 2010.
M. van Bellegem and S. La Niece, 'The British Museum Ciborium: Conservation and Scientific Study' in: The Heritage of 'Maitre Alpais', S. La Niece, S. Roehrs, B. McLeod (eds.), London 2010, pp.10-15
P. Craddock, M. van Bellegem, P. Fletcher, R. Blurton and S. La Niece, 'The black bronzes of Asia' in: Metallurgy and Civilisation: Eurasia and Beyond, J. Mei and Th. Rehren (eds), London 2009, pp.44-52
M. van Bellegem, S. Roehrs, and B. McLeod, 'A Spanish Medieval altar 'set': new investigation and assessment of its date and manufacture', in: The British Museum Technical Bulletin.(2) London, November 2008, pp.67-76
M. van Bellegem, P. Fletcher, P. Craddock, S. La Niece, and R. Blurton, 'The Black Bronzes of Burma' in: The British Museum Technical Bulletin.(1) London 2007, pp.55-63
M. van Bellegem, P. Fletcher, P. Craddock, R. Blurton, 'Mylar, reproductions of a traditional Burmese patinated alloy' in: Metal 07. Book 1, Amsterdam 2007, pp.22-29
M. van Bellegem, H. A. Ankersmit, R. van Langh, and W. Wei, 'Solder on Silver: historical usage and the problem of fretting', in: Metal 04, J. Ashton, D. Hallam (eds.), Canberra 2004, pp. 104-113