Services
Here are a couple example of the quality work we do.
This photo is of a "drum-form" English Export teapot. This teapot had an improperly restored handle and finial button along with several old metal repairs that needed to be corrected.
After careful cleaning and repair of crack (arrow), a correct handle, copied from a period handle on another "drum-form" Export teapot, was hand craved from native cherry. This wood has strikingly similar characteristics to the fruitwood typically found with period handles on Export teapots. A wood button was turned to match an original period button, as found on a "drum-form" teapot by another Exporter. The arrow shows a crack on the surface of the upper edge, that was subsequently restored.
This shows the teapot as completed the handle is a faithful copy of a handle found on another period "drum-form" Export teapot. The handle was "aged" to approximate the look of 200-year-old wood. The crack on the upper edge has been restored and is invisible to the naked eye.
The wood button is a copy of an original found on another "drum-form" Export Teapot. The button was "aged" to approximate the look of 200 year old wood.
Another example of our work is an unmarked Philadelphia Chalice attributed with confidence to William Will.
The following is a photo of this chalice as purchased at auction:
The arrows indicate areas of damage. Note that the chalice has a bent foot and the cup leans to the right.
Here are two close-ups of the damage to the shaft. The patches held the piece together thereby "saving" it. The chalice was carefully cleaned the base, cup and shaft were "straightened" to their original configuration and restoration was made to the poorly repaired areas.
The following photo is of the chalice completely restored. The shaft has had the bad repairs ground away and metal matching the alloy of the original as closely as possible has been built up and then "taken down" to match as closely as possible the original form of the shaft.
The result is a most attractive and properly preserved object. The photos record the record of this work.
Note that the minor nicks and marks of wear still are present. The surface is only cleaned and hand polished. The areas of restoration are "aged" to match the surrounding areas so the restoration blends perfectly.
Appraisals
We also offer appraisal services. Wayne's experience of over 40 years in studying and 38 years of dealing in antique American and English Export pewter have given him a strong knowledge about authenticity and value in these two areas.
Wayne is one of the co-authors of the Pewter Collectors' Club of America's book Collecting Antique Pewter What to Look For and What to Avoid. Many collectors have commented that they wish that other areas of collecting had such a publication as it makes the field of antique pewter more transparent.
The book covers aspects of collecting including what collectors look for in an object. These include form, function, maker, and condition. In addition to this information, a substantial portion of the book is dedicated to fakes, the nemesis of all collectors.
Appraisals are most frequently done for insurance purposes to provide a written description and value, along with digital photographs as a record of one's collection. Please inquire as to other types of appraisals.
