Heili Jürisoo-Lippin, a conservator at Tallinn City Museum, has received the Museum Rat Award for Conservation Project of the Year at the Estonian Museum Annual Awards. Thanks to her exceptional skill and meticulous work, a Neo-Rococo furniture group from the museum’s Brotherhood of Black Heads collection has undergone extensive conservation and is displayed once again.

The Estonian Museum Annual Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the museum sector. This year, Tallinn City Museum received two nominations: the conservation of the Neo-Rococo furniture in the Conservation Project of the Year category, and Garaaž. Гараж. Garage, a co-created exhibition at the Museum of Tallinn’s Peoples, for the Community Friend of the Year Award.

Furniture full of surprises

Before conservation, the sofa, armchair and two chairs were in extremely poor condition. During the project, however, an unexpected discovery was made: the pieces had not originally been created as a matching set. Their unified appearance was developed only in the early 20th century, when they were used to furnish the drawing room of the Brotherhood of Black Heads.

The conservation process revealed several fascinating details. Original upholstery fabrics were discovered inside the chairs, previously hidden wood grain patterns were uncovered, missing decorative elements were reconstructed, and new clues emerged about the possible origins of the furniture.

Every decision made during the conservation process was carefully guided by the history, materials and individual story of each object.

The furniture is now stable, complete and suitable for exhibition. It forms part of the exhibition dedicated to the Brotherhood of Black Heads, which opened at the Tallinn City Life Museum in November 2025.

Through authentic objects, the exhibition invites visitors to discover the history of Tallinn and explore the life and legacy of the brotherhood. Read more about the exhibition. 

Special guided tours in March

On 3 and 21 March, visitors took a closer look at the furniture and learned more about its conservation during the special guided tour:

“Come and See the Rat – Discover the Secrets of the Black Heads’ Furniture!”

The tour focused on the conservation of the Neo-Rococo furniture for the exhibition The Wealthy and Handsome. The Brotherhood of Black Heads in Tallinn.

Estonia’s most prestigious museum awards

The Estonian Museum Annual Awards are the most prestigious honours in Estonia’s museum sector. They highlight the valuable work museums carry out for their communities and visitors.

The nominees represent exceptional initiatives and projects that enrich Estonia’s cultural heritage. Their recognition helps increase the visibility of the museum sector and celebrates the people whose work preserves, interprets and brings history and culture to life.

The awards are presented by the National Heritage Board in cooperation with the Estonian Museum Association and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

The 2026 awards were presented on 12 February at a ceremony held at the Ukuaru Music House in Rakvere, following the traditional annual museum conference.

This year, 79 applications were submitted across nine categories. The most popular categories were Exhibition of the Year, with 15 applications; Promoter of Museum Education, also with 15; and Marketing Achievement of the Year, with 11.

“This year’s nominees clearly reflect the growing maturity of the sector and its expanding role in society. Museums are increasingly seen as open platforms for collaboration – places where community-based exhibitions, international research networks and bold initiatives addressing social issues are created.

“We are also seeing new approaches to marketing and funding, with creativity, participation and impact extending far beyond museum walls,” said Mirjam Krull, museum sector specialist at the National Heritage Board.

PILDIALLKIRJAD:

Tallinn City Museum conservator Heili Jürisoo-Lippin and director Heli Nurger

The conservators of Tallinn City Museum
The Neo-Rococo furniture before conservation

Conserved furniture in the Brotherhood of Black Heads exhibition

Loe lähemalt Muinsuskaitseameti lehelt

• Tallinn City Museum conservator Heili Jürisoo-Lippin and director Heli Nurger
• The conservators of Tallinn City Museum
• The Neo-Rococo furniture before conservation
• Conserved furniture in the Brotherhood of Black Heads exhibition