boulle
12th June 2015, 07:02 PM
Hi all... my name is Roger.
A family heirloom,.. a fancy 19th century clock headache...
349767How best to restore. My research seems to indicate its a Boulle Shelf or Mantle Clock made somewhere around 1850 in UK or France. I found a similar one in UK on internet. Its configured as a stylised shaped wooden box mounted on cast guilded legs with a marquetry facade and guilded trim. (see pic) Main issue is "Lifting marquetry" plus some staining around marquetry edges and under paint. Seems original glue after >150 years of variations in temperature and humidity (UK then Australia) has let go in a couple of places so marquetry is lifting. But not too badly damaged. So have decided to avago at restoration.
Challenge #1
Repair the marquetry in keeping with restoration practice. Have determined recommended practice for glue removal is warm water however the first question is "should I remove/reglue all the marquetry inserts and how?". e.g. low temp electric iron on marketry to heat/dissolve glue
Challenge #2
What to use? Hide or Fish glue .?.
Challeng #3
Cleaning. ie. tooth brush, hot water, dilute wash powder and dilute elbow grease in short bursts and minimum wood wetting via hot air drying after working each small area.
Challenge #4
Paint... assume water based but what recipe?
Also need a source for antique brass escutcheon pins 1.5mm dia x 12mm long.. qty 4.
Would very much appreciate any advice re cleaning method/materials and how to restore paint. have no intent to repaint, just clean. My thoughts are just a slow and careful warm water small area wash but after first refixing marquetry and possibly cleaning stains.
YoHo - Fun ball bouncin time ahead.http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/rolleye.gif
Any commentary at all will be appreciated.
Roger
A family heirloom,.. a fancy 19th century clock headache...
349767How best to restore. My research seems to indicate its a Boulle Shelf or Mantle Clock made somewhere around 1850 in UK or France. I found a similar one in UK on internet. Its configured as a stylised shaped wooden box mounted on cast guilded legs with a marquetry facade and guilded trim. (see pic) Main issue is "Lifting marquetry" plus some staining around marquetry edges and under paint. Seems original glue after >150 years of variations in temperature and humidity (UK then Australia) has let go in a couple of places so marquetry is lifting. But not too badly damaged. So have decided to avago at restoration.
Challenge #1
Repair the marquetry in keeping with restoration practice. Have determined recommended practice for glue removal is warm water however the first question is "should I remove/reglue all the marquetry inserts and how?". e.g. low temp electric iron on marketry to heat/dissolve glue
Challenge #2
What to use? Hide or Fish glue .?.
Challeng #3
Cleaning. ie. tooth brush, hot water, dilute wash powder and dilute elbow grease in short bursts and minimum wood wetting via hot air drying after working each small area.
Challenge #4
Paint... assume water based but what recipe?
Also need a source for antique brass escutcheon pins 1.5mm dia x 12mm long.. qty 4.
Would very much appreciate any advice re cleaning method/materials and how to restore paint. have no intent to repaint, just clean. My thoughts are just a slow and careful warm water small area wash but after first refixing marquetry and possibly cleaning stains.
YoHo - Fun ball bouncin time ahead.http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/rolleye.gif
Any commentary at all will be appreciated.
Roger