Restoration
We are careful about who we trust with restoration work, because we know what is at stake. A heavy-handed intervention can diminish an object far more than time ever could. The craftsmen and conservators we work with share our philosophy: do what is necessary, do it with skill, and leave the soul of the piece intact. Over the years we have seen clocks returned to life, bronzes cleaned of decades of neglect, furniture brought back to the way it was meant to look, and silverware restored to a brilliance that had seemed lost for good. If you have something that needs attention, come and talk to us. We will tell you honestly what is possible and figure out who is best to do it with.
In-House Bronze Conservation
Every clock and every bronze that comes to me is first fully disassembled. This is not a routine measure but a deliberate one: only by taking an object completely apart can one truly assess whether all components are original and belong together. Disassembly frequently reveals more than expected. Hidden hallmarks, serial numbers, signatures of clockmakers or bronze foundries: all of this remains invisible on an assembled piece and only comes to light through careful dismantling. I document every find photographically and in writing before any further treatment takes place. As the photographs show, the parts arrive heavily oxidised and soiled after years, sometimes centuries, of accumulated grime. After full inventorisation, each component is cleaned individually. I deliberately avoid any scrubbing or aggressive polishing. Oxidation is removed as gently as possible, preserving the natural patina and the original surface beneath. The extent of cleaning depends greatly on the bronze itself. Not every piece is treated in the same way: some bronzes carry a patina that is integral to their character and value, and these are left largely untouched. Only where the surface condition genuinely calls for it will a more thorough cleaning be carried out. This decision is made carefully, case by case, always with the long term preservation of the object in mind. The object is then carefully reassembled. The result is not only a clean, fully functional piece but a documented record of its authenticity and history.