Furniture, Decorative Arts
Conservation & Restoration Treatments
A M Conservation Ltd specialises in the conservation and restoration of historic furniture and decorative wooden objects dating from the 17th to the 20th century. Our expertise encompasses traditional cabinetmaking techniques, intricate decorative surfaces and structural conservation, with particular emphasis on preserving original materials, craftsmanship and historic finishes.
Specialist treatments include:
Carving Conservation & Restoration – Repair, stabilisation and, where appropriate, sympathetic recreation of missing or damaged carved elements.
Marquetry & Inlay – Conservation, repair and accurate replacement of missing or damaged decorative veneers, marquetry and inlaid materials.
Wood Turning – Repair and reproduction of missing or damaged turned components using traditional woodworking techniques.
Boulle Work – Specialist conservation and restoration of decorative brass, pewter and tortoiseshell marquetry, including the stabilisation of lifting and detached elements.
Structural Conservation – Stabilisation and repair of weakened joints, fractures, splits, distortions and deteriorated timber components.
Surface Conservation – Cleaning, consolidation and treatment of historic finishes, including varnished, waxed, lacquered and painted surfaces.
French Polishing – Traditional shellac finishing techniques, including the conservation, repair and sympathetic restoration of existing polished surfaces.
All treatments are carefully considered to retain original materials and preserve the historical integrity and character of each object.
Sculpture Conservation & Restoration
We undertake the conservation and restoration of historic wooden, polychrome and marble sculpture, combining specialist knowledge of traditional materials with established conservation principles.
Polychrome & Gilded Sculpture
Our work includes the conservation of carved, painted and gilded sculpture, with particular attention to the preservation of original decorative surfaces and structural stability.
Specialist treatments include:
Surface Cleaning – Controlled removal of accumulated dirt, deposits and degraded surface coatings.
Structural Conservation – Stabilisation and repair of fractures, weakened joints and damaged wooden supports.
Paint Consolidation – Securing lifting, flaking or fragile polychrome and gilded surfaces.
Paint Loss & Colour Reintegration – Localised filling, colour matching and sympathetic retouching of areas of loss.
Gilding Conservation – Stabilisation, repair and selective reintegration of damaged gilded surfaces.
Marble Sculpture
We provide conservation and restoration treatments for marble sculpture and decorative stone objects, with particular consideration given to preserving original surfaces, finishes and historic evidence.
Specialist treatments include:
Surface Cleaning – Careful removal of surface dirt, staining and accumulated deposits using appropriate conservation methods.
Structural Conservation – Assessment, stabilisation and repair of fractures, cracks and weakened components.
Loss Compensation – Sympathetic filling and reintegration of damaged or missing areas where appropriate.
Previous Restoration – Assessment and treatment of deteriorated or incompatible historic repairs.
Our approach prioritises the long-term stability, authenticity and aesthetic integrity of each sculpture.
Images
Row 1: Left: 19th Century Moroccan style table before treatment. Right: After treatment. Replacement of missing bone, ivory, mother of pearl, and tortoiseshell. Replacement of wood detail. Surface treatment included cleaning, colour and shellac finish.
Row 2: Left: 19th Century Marble Bust. Right: After treatment. Repair of neck and surface cleaning with a wax protective coating
Row 3: Left: 19th Century Boulle writing box. Right: After treatment. Replacement of missing brass, tortoiseshell and surface cleaning and polishing.
Row 4: Left: 19th Century Bone Inlay table. Right: After treatment. Replacement of missing bone. Treatment of water damage. Surface treatment included cleaning, colour and an oil wax finish.