Antique Long Case Clock Repairs and Antique Clock Restoration.
By Myles Green, of Green and Cockburn Antiques Restoration, who have been EST for 45 Years - Specialising in the Restoration of Fine 17th and 18th Century Antique Clocks and Furniture.
Specialists in 17th & 18th Century Furniture
Antique Clock Repairs, Movement & Case Restoration
Repairs and restoration of extremely damaged antique long case clocks, bracket clocks etc and furniture from the 18th, 17th and 16th century requiring intensive restoration to a Museum competent standard.
As restorers to the antique art and Museum professions and by having a comprehensive skill base and knowledge we undertake restoration across a broad spectrum concentrating especially on early antique long case clocks, but we are also specialist in the restoration of gilded frames, fine antique furniture and works of art etc. We are particularly renowned for our restoration skills in restoring broken or damaged items back to their original and contemporary state using materials exactly to the period of manufacture most of our clients are discerning individuals such as museums and specialist collectors etc,all this restoration work is undertaken in our workshops and we do not outsource anything.
We are constantly being asked these days by dealers and restorers who do not have a traditional knowledge or skill base to undertake restoration on their behalf.
Below you can see a picture of a very fine English walnut long case clock circa 1680 which has fallen over and broken apart.
This clock as you can see needed intensive restoration. This work was undertaken using original glues and timbers contemporary to the period of manufacture. Below is the restored clock back in the clients house and no one will ever know it has been broken.
Very often these clocks come into our workshop in an extraordinary damaged condition often caused by fire or flood. Most clocks from the Georgian and Victorian period are worth restoring such as grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, Vienna regulators, and French movements and English dial clocks. After restoration clocks are guaranteed for a year.
Below you can see a long case clock hood which came in looking rather sorry for itself the rest of the case and movement are in a similar condition and are shown below.
Below you can see the same long case clock hood in the client's home restored, you can also see the fretwork which was undertaken using traditional methods copying the makers own style which was acquired from our comprehensive record of makers styles, the dial which is shown below has been restored using contemporary to the period materials paints and gold leaf.
Again another picture below of the hood and movement in the client's house on the day of collection as you can see the whole top section of the hood and pillars and pillar capitals were missing.
Below you can see the dial after restoration.
Below another section of the moon phases from the George monks long case clock dial.
In the photograph below you can see the completed long case clock back in the client's property.
Below in the photograph you can see a very fine drop dial fusee clock by Charles Frodsham, unfortunately this had fallen off the wall and completely smashed.
The case as you could see was completely smashed.
The repair and restoration of the clock included the replacement of the domed glass, the bezel was completely bent and had to be remade and the movement had bent shafts and the brass plates had become badly distorted.
Below you can see a picture of the restored
clock.
This clock restoration was undertaken in such a way that when the client received it back he said it looked much better than before the accident.
Below you can see a fine English fusee clock this clock was kept in a cellar apparently for many years.
As you can see the clock is rather worn and has a candle burn on the mahogany on the right-hand side the movement was extraordinary rusty and the brass was covered in verdigris.
The movement as you can imagine by many people's way of thinking would be totally unrecoverable below you will see the pictures undertaken in the process of restoration.
In the picture below you can see the clock as was initially received apparently found in a cellar.
We would not normally take a clock in for restoration in this condition but it was once a very fine clock and it was of very special interest to the client who agreed to pay the required restoration fee.
On the left you can see a picture of the clock as received but with some initial cleaning it has no bezel no convex glass the dial has many layers of paint missing but underneath this paint rust was apparentand the dial feetwere also pulling through and needed repairing.
On the right it can see the finished articlet the bezel and glass have been found and are contemporary to the period, the pendulum and side doors have been made and fitted using contemporary timber and design to the period of manufacturer.
Below you can see the condition of the movement once removed from the case it was found to be rusty and dirty and covered in verdigris.
Below you can see the same movement after restoration the movement was taken apart thoroughly and cleaned which took many days, all of the pivots had to be restored by turning down on the lathe as they were worn and rusty, the bush work was undertaken accordingly.
As you can see the restoration work undertaken on the movement was very fine.
We repair and restore fine antique clocks and furniture using only traditional techniques.
You can see further examples of our clock repair work here. We also undertake the restoration of clock dials.
Longcase clock dial before and after restoration
French ormolu clock prior to restoration and after restoration gilded in 24 carat gold.
Please see our section on restoration undertaken on some of the typical clocks damaged clocks that come into to our workshop in our section of examples of our clock repair work
We also undertake the restoration of clock dials these fine antique clock dials come in to our workshop in a rusted and damaged state these are restored in a very sympathetic manner as can be seen on our dial restoration page.Green and Cockburn are a small company of horologists and restoration
specialists in the last 40 years we have undertaken restoration on
fine furniture works of art and clocks.
We specialise in the restoration ofAntique Long case clocks,grandfather clocks, clock movements and cases and furniture, specialising in 17th and 18th century period pieces such as the dutch marquetry clock case below.
Malcolm of Green and Cockburn is a full BAFRA member with over 37 years in the antiques restoration and valuation business. Covering all antique restoration techniques, skilled in horology and methods of finishing timber and metals. With a fully equipped workshop he also has the necessary skills to carry out gilding and carving, japanning and cabinet making. As well as providing services such as valuations on Antique items for probate or insurance.
According to TV's Antiques Restoration Roadshow:"Malcolm Green of green and Cockburn is a multi-talented antiques restorer and is the resident clocks expert on the show and other BBC programs. Malcolm is a fully affiliated member of BAFRA and has been asked to undertake restoration of some very important antique clocks and furniture for private individuals, private collections and stately homes. His knowledge of antiques and restoration has allowed him to work for insurance companies and solicitors using his valuing skills. Though mostly to be found in his workshop, he has also found time to teach and lecture at colleges and institutions."
Antique restoration using original materials and techniques contemporary to their period of manufacture.
We can guarantee a perfect restoration of your valuable antique keepsakes whilst keeping in mind the need to carry out work in such a way that repair would not be noticed.
Our antique restoration is carried out to the highest standard. Why not take a look at some examples of our recent antique furniture restoration projects. We think you will agree that our repair and conservation work is of the highest standard and you can trust us to do the best renovations and restorations possible with your much loved and cherished antiques.
We hold vast stocks of original timbers and materials dating back to the 16th century we also hold many brass movement parts and if we don't have them in stock we make them.
Clock Repairs
We restore and repair all forms of antique clocks movements and cases such as:
- Long case clocks, grandfather clocks, wall clocks, bracket clocks, all movement work, wheel cutting etc.
- Vienna regulators, French mantle clocks and Fusee clocks.
- Clock dial and face painting
- Clock cases and Dutch Marquetry
- Barometer etc. repairs
Furniture Restoration
We restore fine antique furniture including Regency, Victorian, Georgian and Tudor furniture. We also provide
- Water and oil gilding and lost wax casting, period interiors
- Metal work, japanning, brass work
- Cabinet making and carving
- De-warping, french polishing and stain removal
- Verneer work, marquetry, in lay work
- specialising in the restoration of pre 18th century furniture
Minor repairs to complete restoration...
We pride ourselves in what we call "invisible" repairs. This means that if we have restored an antique table, chair or a clock case you should not be able to see where the repair has been carried out.
Looking for a experienced antique clock repairer or
furniture restorer, need help or advice on antique restoration
problems - contact Green & Cockburn on …
Tel : 01462 790646 or Email :enquiries@greenrestoration.co.uk