Antique Furniture Carving and Gilding Restoration, Renovation and Repair
Antique oil and water gilding and Picture Restoration and Conservation.
Gilded objects such as parts of a long case clock hood or an antique mirror or picture frame, or antique furniture pieces are damaged relatively easily if they are knocked and gilding can discolour or wear away.
Oil and watercolours can become very dirty through nicotine deposits and general age,they may become torn or they may need to be re-streched there is also the possibility that areas of paint are missing. We are capable of restoring your picture to its original standard of beauty and originality.
This oil or picture restoration restoration is very often undertaken on the restoration of the clock dials in the Georgian period many dials were painted in sympathetic scenes from whence they were made, such scenes often depicted the seasons and pictures of ships etc please view our dial restoration section
When the restoration of antique items are carried out, the repairs needs to be done in such a way that restoration is unnoticeable, and more importantly the period remains intact.
As part of Green & Cockburn's vast antique restoration expertise they are able to undertake to the finest degree oil and water gilding.
The process of gilding, particularly on antique clocks or gilded mirror and picture frames, involves many hours of intensive work in order to replicate various designs and seamlessly repair damaged pieces.
Our workshop is fully equipped for antique gilding and restoration using traditional methods and materials.
Examples of our antique furniture gilding restoration work
17th-century hood with gilded spandrels and gilded columns.
Gilded frame circa 1800
This rather nice frame came into our workshop extremely damaged, it had fallen from a wall and bounced twice apparently.The frame had to be taken apart completely, the original corners had to be broken as the nails holding them were bent.
Broken parts were then glued back using animal glue and missing segments of gesso were made and applied to the frame, cracks that had appeared in the frame from general age are also repaired at this stage.
Above you can see the broken frame with the corners and age cracks.
After the missing segments have been applied and the new gesso made and fixed, clay is added to the surface structure of the frame this is so the frame can be burnished.
The gold which is 23 1/2 carat is then added using rabbit skin glue, this is a very time-consuming process as every section of the frame needs to be covered.
When the glue is dry the gilded frame can be burnished using an agate stone.
Below you can see some sections of the newly gilded frame.
Carving restoration and conservation
Many pieces of antique furniture and clocks include items of decorative carving and it is often these parts that suffer from wear and tear the most.
As Green & Cockburn undertake a great deal of furniture restoration, it is often necessary to perform carving on replacement timber that is crafted to give the piece it's original look and feel.
Relief and incised carving can be carried out to the highest standard, which will enable a true restoration for any item of antique clock or item of furniture.
Example of our antique carving restoration work
We would be more than happy to show you examples of our gilding and carving work on antique furniture request.
Looking for an experienced antique
gilding or carving restorer - contact Malcolm Green on …
Tel : 01462 790646 or E-mail : Malcolm
Green