I was contacted by client who said they had had a fire and their clock was damaged.
This clock was burnt and soaked by fireman, when they put the fire out the clock was then left for a period of time.
When we received the clock it was rusted and covered in verdigris this clock was then left for a period of time for the client and the insurance company to decide on the action.
It was decided after about a year that this clock should be restored.
The movement was so rusted all the pivots had to be remade and most of the bushes had to be replaced.
Most metal parts had to have the rust pitting removed and the brass cleaned to remove verdigris.
The case was then disassembled each part cleaned thoroughly and then gilded using the electrolytic process.
The glass from the dial was removed using very hot water which expands the bezel the bezel was then cleaned ready for gilding.
When this clock was made it was of course gilded using mercury but we cannot do that these days as the law does not allow it.
The brass case is cleaned and then a copper flashing is put upon the surface, it is then gilded in 24 carat gold.
The case is reassembled and the gilded bezel again reheated in hot water and the glass re-added to the bezel.
After all the work on the movement is undertaken, and after cleaning the movement is reassembled and tested.
I was contacted by client who said they had had a fire and their clock was damaged.
This clock was burnt and soaked by fireman, when they put the fire out the clock was then left for a period of time.
When we received the clock it was rusted and covered in verdigris this clock was then left for a period of time for the client and the insurance company to decide on the action.
It was decided after about a year that this clock should be restored.
The movement was so rusted all the pivots had to be remade and most of the bushes had to be replaced.
Most metal parts had to have the rust pitting removed and the brass cleaned to remove verdigris.
The case was then disassembled each part cleaned thoroughly and then gilded using the electrolytic process.
The glass from the dial was removed using very hot water which expands the bezel the bezel was then cleaned ready for gilding.
When this clock was made it was of course gilded using mercury but we cannot do that these days as the law does not allow it.
The brass case is cleaned and then a copper flashing is put upon the surface, it is then gilded in 24 carat gold.
The case is reassembled and the gilded bezel again reheated in hot water and the glass re-added to the bezel.
After all the work on the movement is undertaken, and after cleaning the movement is reassembled and tested.
below you can see a photograph of the finished and gilded clock.