Hampshire Antique Restoration

Antique & Grandfather clock case restoration

Restoration of antique longcase (grandfather), dial, wall mantle and bracket clock cases, from Boulle marquetry and japanned lacquer to veneers, inlay and carving. We specialise in 17th to 19th century clocks, and work alongside a specialist clock conservator on movements and dials, so a clock can come back complete and in working order.

Boulle marquetry
Lacquer and japanning
Veneer and banding repairs
Carving
Gilt mounts

A 18th century Boulle Marquetry clock case after restoration

01Lacquer and japanning

An important late 18th century japanned clock by Claude du Chesne

This lacquered longcase clock was from the workshops of Claude du Chesne, an important Huguenot clockmaker with examples of his work in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The case needed a full restoration, as the japanned finish was lost on the sides and badly damaged on the front. The base of the trunk was lost completely.

The new japanning needed careful matching and toning of the gold leaf to match the original work, followed by a good quality wax finish to help protect the surface from future damage. The japanning on the sides was reproduced from existing examples, and the design is based on stylised chrysanthemums, a popular chinoiserie motif.

02Dial clock case

DENT & Co Wall clock case

This clock was from the firm of DENT – the makers of “Big Ben” and a prestigious maker.

After repairs were made the case was then French polished and the bezel restored and buffed. The entire case was waxed in the traditional manner.

Finally the restored movement was re-installed and the clock commissioned in the owners home.

In progress

03Boulle veneer

A 19th Century Boulle Mantle clock case

This boulle clock case had suffered losses and severe corrosion. The brass areas were carefully removed, flattened, cleaned and reattached using the traditional methods.

Finally the tortoiseshell and the brass was cleaned and polished and a protective wax layer was applied.

In progress

04Fretwork

Georgian Fretwork clock hood

This Georgian long-case clock has losses to the fretwork on the hood. Period timber was used to splice in the lost pieces and these were then stained to match and polished to blend with the original material.

The hood was then hand finished with waxes in the traditional manner.

In progress

05Wall clock case

Georgian Verge Wall clock case

This Georgian verge clock case was in poor condition, having several losses and having been painted in household gloss.

The clock was valuable due to the rare maker of the movement so restoration was requested by the owner.

The paint was hand stripped before the losses were replaced with period timber. The case was then French polished and the bezel restored and buffed. The entire case was waxed in the traditional manner.

Finally the restored movement was re-installed and the clock commissioned in the owners home.

06Veneers and banding

A late 18th century satinwood cased white dial clock

This unusual clock had been stored inappropriately for many years. A full restoration to the case and movement was necessary to return the clock to working order.

The replacement carving was matched with the original, and many missing sections of banding had to be hand cut from the solid. The dial was carefully cleaned and restored by our specialist dial conservator.

In progress

07Boulle marquetry

An early 18th century Boulle marquetry clock and bracket

This Boulle style clock case required extensive restoration. Approximately 25% of the brass and 10% of the turtleshell was missing, and the remaining marquetry needed removing to stabilise the substrate.

The ormolu mounts carried a duty stamp for 1740, allowing accurate dating. Working alongside a clock conservator, and with specialist restoration to the enamel dial, the treatment was a great success.