Ariel O’Connor is an Objects Conservator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. Prior to joining NMAA, Ariel was Senior Objects Conservator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) from 2016-2022 and held appointments as Objects Conservator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) and the Walters Art Museum. Her research fellowships focused on materials and technology in archaeological Asian art, with a particular interest in early metallurgy, casting, and inlay techniques. She completed a Kress Fellowship at the Harvard Art Museums researching casting and inlay on ancient Chinese ceremonial weaponry from the Shang dynasty, a Baird Fellowship studying excavated Shang inlayed bronzes in China, and a Mellon Fellowship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art studying 7th – 10th century Southeast Asian Hindu-Buddhist bronzes. Her archaeological fieldwork includes seasons at the Aphrodisias Excavations, Mugello Valley/Poggio Colla Archaeological Project, and Gordion Excavations Project. She holds an M.A. and C.A.S. in Art Conservation from SUNY Buffalo State.