Malachite Clock: In Progress

This massive, antique malachite clock was buried beneath boxes and grime in the basement of the mansion.   My job is to clean and repair it. These pictures show the case fully cleaned with the bronze angel waxed and polished. Yet to be done: repair chipped malachite and build clock face/find movement.

7/8/11 Updated Picture:

Cedar Signs

On the property here, there are three separate homes all under the same address, so signs are needed to differentiate them. I was asked to build new, attractive placards for the buildings to replace old plywood ones.

Dresden Fruit Stand

This antique Dresden fruit bowl stands about 15 inches tall and is filled with ornate porcelain detail. It consists of two separate parts, a base with two figures and a basket on top, laced with vines. All details on the piece are hand painted and very delicate. Unfortunately,  a few years back the stand was tipped over and the basket suffered a devastating fall, shattering it into many pieces. Both pictures here show the fruit bowl after restoration but the red lines above trace the break lines.  I reassembled the pieces using a two part epoxy.

The Lapis Lazuli Cabinet

To start off, here is the first project I took on at the mansion. This ebony veneered lapis lazuli table cabinet was sitting in the mansion's basement when first shown to me. It had suffered from years of water damage, much of the centuries old hide glue had lost its tack, and many parts were broken or missing. Here is a "before" picture...

Lapis cabinet before restoration

Drawer faces had fallen off as had many pieces of Lapis. The base needed reinforcing and ebony veneer had to be replaced and flattened in many spots. But beneath the thick grime, I could see a masterpiece just waiting to shine again. After 4 months worth of afternoons spent sanding, scrubbing, gluing, and shellacking, the cabinet was complete. 

Lapis cabinet after restoration

Back Story

Hello all.

I have created this blog to document my work this summer. What I will be writing about is no ordinary summer job. Over the past few years I have become friends with a great man who is the owner of a W.D. Hewitt and Frank Furness designed mansion, the name of which I must keep private. When he learned of my interest and knowledge of antiques and architecture I was asked to work on an antique cabinet from the estate's collection. Given my success with the piece and the multitude of other projects within his mansion, he has hired me to work at the estate this summer, working on both the house and items in it. Enjoy! Starting June 23rd I will do my best to keep this up to date and well documented. If you have any comments or advice on projects, please post.