Restoration

The art and antiques industry is served by specialists in conservation and restoration to maintain and preserve items. Restorers usually focus on specific areas whether it be paintings, furniture, works of art, ceramics, antiquarian books, jewellery or taxidermy.


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Obituary: furniture restorer Michael Barrington

29 April 2024

Michael Barrington was the driving force behind the British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association (BAFRA) since he was elected its chairman in 1994 and then chief executive officer until 2014.

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Furniture restoration: The hidden workshop aiming to restore confidence

25 March 2024

A challenging middle market and soaring property prices have driven most restorers out of central London but a workshop still remains hidden away in Mayfair

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Tips when buying antique furniture

25 March 2024

Seeking advice from someone with years of experience who has closely studied antique furniture is the only sure way of safely buying in this field, but here are some handy tips on what to consider from furniture specialist Richard Coles, director of Godson & Coles in Fulham.

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Two Old Master artworks to benefit from this year’s TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund

20 January 2024

Museums in Ireland and Connecticut are recipients of the annual grant

Portrait of a boy

Restored and reattributed: Dealer Rupert Maas reveals Harold Knight picture

13 February 2023

An unidentified but engaging portrait of a young boy that was bought by art dealer Rupert Maas at a regional auction last year has been restored and fully attributed to Harold Knight (1874-1961).

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Antiques dealers’ campaign to save Westminster’s gas lamps continues as a third of lanterns remain at risk

24 November 2022

The London Gasketeers, a group trying to preserve central London’s Victorian gas lamps, welcomed a step by Westminster City Council to retain 174 of the lamps but concerns remain for the 94 still earmarked for conversion to LED.

Julian Radcliffe

Plea for professional body to boost standard of condition reports

21 November 2022

Forensic and scientific expertise recommended when it comes to condition reports and verification of attribution.

Jennifer Mass

Scientists and art specialists propose standards for the art and antiques trade

15 November 2022

A group of scientists and art specialists met to discuss proposals to create industry-wide standards for condition reports and the verification of art and antiques.

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Restoring antique picture frames

26 September 2022

From falling off a wall to being damaged in transit, antique frames often need to be repaired.

Jack Metcalfe

‘Practical man’ makes Chippendale marquetry discovery

16 May 2022

A specialist in 18th century marquetry believes he has identified the craftsmen responsible for inlaid decoration on some of the finest English furniture.

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King’s Clock given a West Dean touch

08 November 2021

Emmanuelle Sibley, a student at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation specialising in clocks and related objects, has been given the opportunity to conserve the Kings’ Clock in advance of the reopening of The Courtauld Gallery on November 19.

Portrait de Monsieur Jules Dejouy

Édouard Manet portrait in Welsh museum gets funding for restoration from TEFAF grant

28 August 2021

The National Museum Wales has received a €20,000 (£17,130) grant to restore an Édouard Manet (1832-83) picture.

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Clean energy: The real-life world of art restoration

05 July 2021

TV programmes have brought restoration and conservation into the public spotlight recently, but what is life really like for those working in the field at a time when training and jobs are under pressure?

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Q&A: Priory Polishes

05 July 2021

Priory Polishes sells restoration products to the antiques trade and was originally founded by Allan Worrell in Lancashire and later run by Paul Cartwright. Last year antiques and restoration firm Driscoll’s Antiques in Clitheroe, Lancashire, run by James Driscoll, took over the firm and Priory Polishes is now run by daughters Isabel (age 21) and Ruby (age 18).

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Q&A: Plowden & Smith

05 July 2021

Conservation and restoration firm Plowden & Smith is now run by managing director Camilla Hughes-Hunt with a team of 13 qualified full-time conservation specialists.

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College and school of design merger creates South Downs and London supercentre

05 July 2021

West Dean College recently merged with KLC School of Design in London.

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Q&A: Lizzie Neville, head of school of conservation at West Dean college

05 July 2021

Lizzie Neville, head of school of conservation at West Dean College of Arts & Conservation, works with 15 full-time members of staff and more than 50 visiting lecturers

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Q&A: Ceri House

05 July 2021

Ceri House is an artist and restorer and currently works with Nick Shipton and the Brothership Studio team in Hertford.

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Q&A: Simon Gillespie

05 July 2021

Described recently in a How To Spend It article in the Financial Times as a “part sleuth, part therapist and part miracle worker… a modern master of illumination”, Simon Gillespie runs a team of seven conservators, restorers and specialists in his studio above New Bond Street in central London.

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ATG letter: Triptych ‘salvaged from a church’

12 April 2021

MADAM – Can your readers identify the workshop responsible for this ‘Last Supper’ triptych of glazed tiles, set on a slate and mortar matrix?

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