Antique restoration

Our experienced restorers assess each new project in the context of the client’s specific requirements, paying particular attention to preserving the integrity of an object.

Where appropriate, original materials are used to maintain a high standard of authenticity and our work is approached with the utmost sensitivity to our customers’ needs.

Our expertise covers a wide range of antique and modern furniture and works of art and we are able to provide reliable recommendations for items outside our specialist field.

Our specialisms

Upholstery

French polishing

Gilding

Marquetry

Stone carving

Wood carving

Pietra dura

Lacquer

Chandeliers

Boulle

Marble

Metalwork

Detail of marquetry flowers and butterfly on a table attributed to Holland and Sons — Marquetry

Before and after

An Indian inlaid cabinet, restored in our West Norwood workshop.

A pair of George I armchairs

A pair of George I carved giltwood and gesso armchairs, circa 1725, attributed to James Moore. Provenance: probably supplied to Simon Harcourt, 1st Viscount Harcourt (d. 1727) for Harcourt House, Cavendish Square, London, as part of a set of eight state apartment armchairs. The armchair frames were restored and re-upholstered and the gilding refreshed.

A carved knee, replaced

A missing carved knee on a ball and claw leg, carved new in the workshop to match the original, then toned and polished into the old surface.

Before: new carved knee in bare wood joined to the original leg — Before: the new carving, in bare wood

After: the carved knee toned and polished to match the original — After: toned and polished

A statue, restored

A statue came to the workshop with its plinth broken and one foot missing. We replaced the foot, the plinth and part of the drapery, and matched the finish to the original, leaving the rest of the old surface as found.

As found: the statue standing on its broken plinth, with a gap where the foot and base are missing — As found

Before: the statue with the missing foot and plinth replaced in white, before the finish was matched — Before

After: the statue with the foot, plinth and drapery replaced and the finish matched — After

In the workshop

Water gilding, lacquer and gesso work at the bench in West Norwood.

Carved ornaments being gilded on the workshop bench

A newly gilded carved ornament held in the hands

Applying gold to carved ornaments in the workshop

Gilding carved ornaments with a fine brush

Gesso and gold on carved ornaments in the workshop

A restorer gilding at the workbench — At the bench

Period hardware and gilt mounts kept in stock for restoration — Period hardware, kept in stock for restoration

Hand retouching a chinoiserie lacquer surface with pigments — Retouching lacquer by hand

Restoring a black and gold lacquer panel at the bench — Lacquer panel, colour matched in the workshop

A restorer retouching a chinoiserie lacquer panel, with pigments, brushes and tools beside him — Retouching to match the original lacquer

Have a piece that needs care?

Send us a photograph and a few words about the piece and we will come back to you with our advice.

We work with clients across central London, including Chelsea, Mayfair, Kensington, Belgravia and Westminster, and can collect and deliver your piece.

Get in touch