The Cape Restorer

I am the Cape Restorer and am one of the few antique restorers in South Africa to use traditional methods of conservation and restoration. I offer quality and professional restoration of fine antiques.

All work is done by hand, using traditional methods and natural finishes - such as fish glues, shellac and beeswax polishes.

With years of experience and expertise in French polishing, fine veneer repairs, and furniture conservation, I undertake all work with the utmost care and attention to detail.

CENTRAL ISSUES:

Conservation and Restoration vs Preservation:

According to the Oxford English Dictionary:

“Preservation” means “to maintain the state of things” – i.e. keep them as they are.

“Conservation” means “to keep from harm, decay or loss, especially with a view to later use”

“Restoration” means “ attempt to bring back to original state … or former condition”

These three terms are at the centre of a debate in all spheres of restoration, throughout the world. The restoration of antique furniture is no exception. There are many, particularly dealers in antiques, who maintain that an antique should be preserved in the state in which it finds itself today. This means that, whether the piece of furniture is stressed or not, it is the patina (the mellow look acquired from years of wax, dirt, and human grease) that is important.

This preservationist approach to antiques, as with most other aspects of cultural heritage, is limiting; and most restorers would argue that the best interests of a piece of furniture – such as its survival – are best served through conservation and/or restoration.

My opinion is that patina, although seen as aesthetically pleasing by some, often hides the beautiful grain and colour of the wood, which would have been chosen with great care and deliberation by the cabinet maker all those years ago.

Conservation of an item of furniture involves treating the woodworm, and feeding ie. oiling and waxing all unpolished wood (interiors, backs, undersides) in order to prevent the wood from drying out and ultimately cracking or warping.

Restoration involves glueing down all loose veneer in order to prevent further lifting and loss of the original, old veneer, replacing lost veneer, repairing cracks, and breaks, removing modern finishes if present, because they prevent the wood from breathing, which leads to drying out and cracking, and refinishing with a traditional shellac or wax finish. Also, repairing is preferable to replacing, if possible. Beware of professional restoration work, where inferior woods, replacements or modern finishes are used. More often than not, plastic (reaction lacquer or polyurethane) is sprayed onto the item, instead of the hand application of Shellac (French polish). Spray finishes have a glassy, artificial look, whereas French polish has a warm look and the wood grain shows through.

Bad repairs can devalue a piece.

Restoration can only increase value and enhance aesthetics.

In other words, whether your treasured piece of antique furniture is important to you as an investment, or it is a valued family heirloom which you want your ancestors to be enjoying 100 years from now, conservation / restoration will ensure that it survives the rigours of time.

Important tips for looking after your antique furniture:

• Use adequately insulated mats or glass on French polished surfaces in order to protect the surface from heat and water damage.
• Never oil polished surfaces or use modern cleaning agents on them. These tend to eat away the French polish. Just wipe polished surfaces with a soft cloth.
• Keep furniture out of direct sunlight and away from artificial heat sources.
• Keep any veneer pieces that have fallen off, so that it can be reglued by a restorer.

Gail Euston-Brown
The Cape Restorer
Tel: (021) 713 0719
Email: four_gribbles@yahoo.co.uk