Antique Restoration

 
antique restoration, attwill furniture
Attwill Furniture Co., Lynn, Ma., mid 70's
Ron Trapasso, Mario Torto, Leo Ingeme, David Richardson, "The Changing of the Guard."

 
     I was trained as an artist and designer at the Rhode Island School of Design, ( 1973). Antique restoration has always been my day job. When you take apart a venerable old object that needs restoration, you have a window into the past. The methods and techniques of  the old guys teach us our trade and give us the basic language for contemporary work. Also, when people find out that you can take care of their fine things, you never know what will come through the shop door.

 
 
antique restoration, boston card table, inlay
Boston card table with demi-lune inlay, ca. 1800

 

 

A pair of beautiful plant stands by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings, described as the most important American decorator of the 1930's and 40's. The old nitrocellulose lacquer was badly deteriorated and after consultation with colleagues, we decided that the finish was not restorable. We decided to refinish them in platinas shellac, a pale but strong shellac. Some additional coloring was done to keep the same look. These are "before" photos. The one on the right shows the problem a little better. The finish was delaminated - greenish white and cracked.

 

restoration - 17th c. Chinese tables

Portsmouth chest of drawers

 

REPRODUCTION

WORKSHOP

 

 

 

 


 

 
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