Antique Clock Restoration

Longcase Case Clock Repair Specialists and Fine Art Restoration and Valuation.

Antique Longcase Clock & Bracket Clock Restoration

 

Antique Furniture & Fine Art Restoration

 

17th-century Dutch Marquetry Clock Movement and Case Restoration Specialists

 

Valuations For Probate Fire Flood and Insurance Replacement

 

Green and Cockburn Antiques Restoration have been EST for 45 Years - Specialising in the Restoration of Fine 17th and 18th Century Antique Long Case Clocks and Furniture.

Undertaken by Myles Green

In the photographs below you can see a clock which seemed by many to be fit for the skip.

A clock in this condition is not something that we would normally take on, but the client an American lady, was willing to pay the restoration fee as she had inherited this (which was once a very fine English long case clock) and was more than willing to have it restored.

Part of the process of undertaking restoration and valuation is to be able to foresee the end result and this is undertaken by being able to see the original timbers used, the skill processes used in its manufacture to date and age the period of the item.

This which seemed rather like a box of firewood was originally a very fine Cuban mahogany early 18th century clock.

Below you can see some of the photographs prior to restoration.

The hood.

The Clock base.

Below you can see photographs of the trunk and base showing woodworm damage and where someone has strangely painted the clock interior

On the left you can see the movement as sent by the client and on the right you can see a photograph of the dial which had been painted at some stage reasonably well but totally with all the wrong artwork after a certain amount of assessment and checking on the maker we were able to provide the client with the proper artwork as per the original maker.

The movement above on the left is covered in verdigris very worn and missing a gathering pallet ( this is the part that gathers the chime segment ) the snail which is the part in the centre which relates to the hour segment on the rack arm had been glued together with epoxy glue.

Below you can see a photograph of the completed clock the gilding has been done on the hood central fleur-de-lis.

All the repairs have been done and any missing timber or veneer has been replaced using contemporary timber of the period.

Below you can see a photograph of the newly restored and painted dial with maker's name.

French bracket clock dial restoration.

In the photographs below you can see some examples of dial silver restoration in this particular case a very fine dial from a French bracket clock.

The silvered chapter ring had been rubbed down many times over it's life and the numerals had disappeared therefore they had to be re-engraved.

The central section of the dial is gilded in 24 carat gold leaf, the main section of the dial has been Mercury gilded

The silver sections of the dial the chapter ring and date ring and nameplate have been silvered as the original method with silver sulphate.

Dutch marquetry long case clock circa 1680

Below you can see a fine Dutch Marquetry long case Clock Restoration.

We are specialists in the restoration of these very fine antique Dutch marquetry long case clocks.

Undertaking restoration of the marquetry replacing each individual section that has either lifted or been glued down wrongly.

We make each movement part that requires restoration or replacement in our workshop in relation to the original maker's specifications and sometimes rather strange idea of working.

If the maker at the time decided to do something that we now know to be rather foolish nevertheless we will follow the original maker specification and way of working.

In the photograph above you can see some of the individual skills used in the restoration of a hood of this period.

As you can see on the very top of the clock there are inlaid flowers, these flowers will copy other flowers on the rest of the clock these flowers are made from boxwood sections and each petal is laid individually.

Following down the hood you can seet he walnut mouldings which on clocks of this period were laid horizontally rather than vertically therefore making them is somewhat complicated as one has to cut these mouldings with an item known as a scratch.stock, this is a sharp blade in a right angled wooden device which scratches across the grain.

Below that you can see a box wood banding with under toning these dark areas were burnt with hot sand on the dark section of the petals, we have to undertake the same process in replacement.

Following down the hood you can then see a fret work section which is typical of the period this is cut out by a small hand fret saw.

Following down even further you can see some of the fine floral work on the top of the door which is also inlaid in Boxwood with sanded toning.

All the flowers inlaid into these marquetry clocks are cut individually, originally they have very bright colours such as green or yellow and red which now of course has to be bleached out as most aged clocks of this period appear now after time which is the accepted look of the period.

Below you can see a video of a recent marquetry clock restoration project

The restoration of these items is very time-consuming but generally these clocks are well worth restoring as they are one of the very few antique items that have in fact increased in value.

Below you can see some freshly made movement parts made to the original specification in our workshop.

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 front 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 of bezel 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 feet were also pulling through and needed repairing.

On the right you 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

Green and Cockburn are a small company of horologists and restoration specialists in the last 40 years we have undertaken restoration on fine furniture and works of art and clocks for some of the finest houses in the country

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 as can be seen below.

Malcolm of Green is a consultant for museums the BBC and stately homes and is a full BAFRA member with over 40 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.

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