Case Studies

Mahogany Longcase clock

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This sad looking longcase clock was purchased by a client through a local auction house. After close inspection and discussions on the extent of restoration needed a detailed list of all works and costs was compiled.

Clock Hood

  • To treat hood for woodworm
  • To secure loose frame
  • To rebuild damaged top section
  • To make missing swan neck mouldings
  • To supply and fit missing ball and spears
  • To make missing fretwork to match
  • To replace missing masking
  • To rebuild hood door and replace broken glass
  • To replace broken door hinges

Main Trunk

  • To secure loose back board
  • To secure loose bottom panel
  • To replace lock and broken hinges
  • To re-lay lifting veneer to case door
  • To repair chipped veneer to front
  • To replace missing sections of moulding
  • To make missing fretwork

Although the clock needed extensive restoration the overall condition of the case was good apart from small areas of decayed polish. The movement was very dirty and needed a complete overhaul and the clock face was badly worn and needed re-painting.

With knowledge and skilled workmanship this mahogany longcase clock has been lovingly restored back to its former glory and stands proudly on display in the clients hallway.

Georgian Mahogany carver chair

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This lovely Georgian mahogany carver chair had been in the client's family for the past 110 years, within this time the legs had been shortened to just below the stretchers. Timothy Warr was asked if he could extend all four legs so the chair would sit at its original height.

Using Georgian mahogany with the same grain the four legs were shaped by hand and blended in, a base colour was then applied and the colour built up on top to match the original. Finally the chair was wax finished and ready to have the upholstery rebuilt.

An Ebony & Kingwood Jardinier

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This elaborate Jardinier was suffering from woodworm had missing veneer, a missing liner and tainted ormolu mounts.

The first step, as with all infected pieces, was to treat the woodworm. The ormolu mounts were removed and cleaned and the chipped and missing veneers were prepared ready for the repairs.

Loose veneer was secured and period veneers were used to replace the missing veneer. Both the top and four corner faces had to be replaced with ebony veneer. After the repairs had been trimmed the jardinier was carefully cleaned making sure to preserve the original patina. The repairs were coloured out to match the existing and the piece French polished and waxed. The base was secured and the ormalu mounts positioned, the last job was to make the missing lead liner.

A Mahogany William IV work table

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It's not every day that a client finds an antique piece of furniture in the family's shed. After inspecting the piece closely a list of all the damage was compiled.

  • Woodworm to the base and top frame
  • Loose veneer around base
  • Chipped and missing pieces of veneer to the base and main frame
  • Loose top
  • Missing drawer divides and loose base
  • Missing drawer lock
  • Missing work box and frame
  • Broken bun foot
  • All four corners of top section badly worn
  • Missing decorative corner brackets
  • Decayed polish throughout

The first step was to treat the infected woodworm to prevent it from spreading. The loose veneer was removed and reglued and the missing veneer was replaced with old period veneers to match. The original broken bun foot was hand turned to match exactly and the original castor and screws fixed to the new foot. The drawer base was secured and the missing compartments replaced and a period lock was fitted to the drawer front. All four corners of the top frame were repaired and new corner brackets hand cut out of period timber, these were then assembled and the top re-glued.

The most challenging part of this project was the missing work box and frame. Using reference books and existing markings on the piece the size and shape were determined. The frame was made from period mahogany and the box from 3 mm ply to enable it to bend to the desired shape.

Once all of the repairs had been done the polish was carefully cleaned making sure not to remove the original patina. The repairs were coloured out using pigments and the whole piece french polished and waxed. Finally the drawer was lined with silk paper and the box lined with silk on the inside and pleated on the outside.