Leda and the Swan
A papier-mâché tray, “Leda and the Swan”. A Regency period, papier-mâché tray, English, circa 1820. This tray had damaged corners, the slanted border was lifting off the plate, usual wear and nicks, required re-gluing, filling, cleaning and re-polishing.
Boule Work Center Table
A 19th century, French Boule work center table, circa 1860. This case suffered fire and water damages, and was seriously mishandled. It shows how extreme situations can be restored, in this case, loose brass inlay, lifting tortoise shell, cleaning, polishing, re-gluing and consolidating the frame, and rebuilding a French polished surface.
Wine Cellerette
A late Georgian, mahogany wood, cellerette, English circa 1810. The wine cellarette required consolidating lifting veneers, removing water stains, cleaning and polishing. Every step done by hand, using the traditional products and techniques to restore its full potential appearance. In the background, can be seen an example of a mahogany wood dinning room table, re polished along the same methods rendered its former glory.
Bary Harp
One of the most interesting recent project, showing a Regency period, 8 pedal, signed and numbered Barry Harp, #347, in the Grecian style, found in a deteriorated condition; the harp suffered prolonged moisture exposure and was affected by parasites. After several months of painstaking work, now set to survive for posterity
Water Damage
Organic finishes tend to react to acidic water and liquids, showing here examples of what can be done. Most times it is not required to remove the existing finish, simple re-booting the medium procedures can do wonders!
Ivory & Bone Pagoda Tower
A ivory and bone, carved pagoda tower, 48” high with wooden base, consisting of 5 intricately carved levels. China circa 1900. The tower was found, collapsed and in a box, the second level from the bottom was completely destroyed. I re-created and carved an 8 sided replacement level based on the existing pattern. Re-assembled the remaining bits. Unfortunately cannot retrieve lost “before” images
Papier Mache Tray
An English made, papier-mâché tray, circa 1820, decorated with scenes of the lost summer palace, having suffered damage due to handling, repositioned broken sections, glued separating layers of paper, cleaned and polished.
Tole Tray
An English made, oval shaped painted tole tray, having a heavy layer of dirt, nicotine and turned varnish layer. Cleaned and in-filling paint loss, polishing.
Panel Splitting
A golden coloured, birch wood, table panel that suffered from ambient humidity issues, re-glued and re-polished.
Lacquer Work
An early scalloped shaped portable desk, English circa 1700. The item showed many areas missing the lacquer work, and was layered with years of dirt. The bun feet were very loose. The restoration required an en-gluing treatment, filling out missing lacquer losses, cleaning and polishing. Organic lacquer subjected to UV exposure and dryness becomes brittle and will check.
Bookcase
A William IV, rosewood library bookcase, English circa 1835. The bookcase arrived in a serious deteriorated state, having overall veneer loss and scraping, as shown in images, and what really saved it was the layers of subsequent finishes and dirt. After removing 90% of the layers, I was able to retrieve it’s original oxidized and patinated appearance, plus lots of re-gluing!
Veneer Work
A Louis XV period serving dresser, France,18th century. The cabinet is shown without its top marble stone, was in a dehydrated state having several attempts to disguise the obvious. The work consisted in re-introducing it to a higher level of humidity and then consolidating the lifting veneers and panels. A nice refinishing using the French polishing technique was applied.
