This lithograph of “The Presidents of the United States” published by Nathaniel Currier (American, 1813-1888) arrived at our studio in poor condition with water staining,  discoloration, tears,  and creasing. The glass on the accompanying frame was broken and the upper half missing, which left the sheet open to years of uneven exposure. The antique frame itself had several areas of veneer delamination and loss. The acidic wood panel backboard was in direct contact with the print which contributed to the lithograph’s deterioration.   It was easily discernable the improper fr ..read more

Thomas Hart Benton, Cradling Wheat, 1939, lithograph on white wove paper framed with water damage before conservation treatment This Thomas Hart Benton lithograph, “Cradling Wheat,” was published as an edition of 250 in 1939 by Associated American Artists. Benton was known for his harmonious compositions elevating everyday life and exploring the relationship of man and nature, but when nature took a turn for the worse this piece was put at risk of being lost to a flood.   Art Recovery and Triage When environmental disasters occur, time is of the essence to recover art so that it may be ..read more

This prized 1908 Victrola model VV-XX phonograph arrived at our studio with a deteriorated finish delaminating veneer and extensive wear to the gilt ornamentation.  This floor-standing model features an internal horn and has an unusually decorative cabinet with premium mahogany book-matched veneer on the doors as well as gilded, dimensional foliate scrollwork on the corners, sides, and feet. The cabinet is not only beautifully designed, but also includes built-in storage.  The underside of the lid still retains the color ‘Victor Victrola’ logo, as well as the original metal manu ..read more

Leonard Baskin (August 15, 1922 – June 3, 2000) was a prominent, award-winning artist of the mid-20th century. Spanning the mediums of sculpture, printmaking, illustration, and graphic design, and founding Gehenna Press (1942–2000), his work captures the human figure in commanding and despairing portrayals. Through a commission from the National Park Service to illustrate a handbook, Little Bighorn Battlefield, Baskin’s interest and understanding of Native Americans and their history evolved. His series of lithographs convey a deep respect for the courage and wisdom of the Sioux mixed wit ..read more

A Question of Engagement Our client arrived with this beautiful antique portrait and a 19th-century gilded frame that they purchased from an antique store. At first glance it seemed to be the perfect match, however, the portrait width and height did not match the frame. The portrait was also stretched onto an underbuilt, weak strainer. We needed to figure out how to preserve the integrity of both pieces, yet pair them for a harmonious presentation. The 19th-century portrait upon arrival to our studio without a frame   The frame arrived at the studio empty, and a different size than the ..read more

First Steps to Recover Water Damaged Art and Antique Collections When your safety is confirmed, following  a storm, flood or hurricane, time is of the essence when fine art, antique and          furniture collections are exposed to water.  While standing water is the instant concern, there are two environmental perils that immediately follow: elevated humidity and mold.   The following are a few proactive steps to start safeguarding and recovering a comprised collection: Documentation-Photograph the items in their current state. Video-If you have ac ..read more

The Inspiration From the moment our client came to us with her elegant Vera Wang Hayley Wedding Gown and the desire to have it on display, we were in love with the idea.   The elaborate gown was far too strikingly elegant to be tucked away in an heirloom box in a closet. The Design With the neutral sash and neutral décor where the Hayley gown was destined to be displayed, we selected neutral Belgian linen for the backing material in the vitrine. Given the volume of the dress, we wanted to design the display case so that it would be deep enough and wide enough ..read more

Years of Use We had the privilege of restoring an antique Louis XV style desk and extending its legacy. This heirloom 18th-century style writing desk has sustained years of use, and exposure from sunlight and climate fluctuation.  While windows provide a great view and seem to be an ideal spot to sit and work nearby. The sunlight can fade finishes, upholstery, and degrade wood.   Condition When the table arrived at our studio, the areas on the desk that was closest to the window had faded, and the veneered surface was lifting and unstable. Various areas of the veneer were missing. Th ..read more

The son of a carpenter, French designer Louis Vuitton Malletier started his career as an apprentice at a box-making and packing workshop at the age of thirteen. In 1854, Vuitton started his business from the ground up with his state-of-the-art steamer trunks. The innovative flat profile design made the trunks stackable, while the Trianon canvas exterior reduced the trunk’s weight and made the trunk airtight. These functional elements and style made Vuitton’s trunks stand apart from the traditional rounded top steamer. In 1896, in honor of his late father, Georges Vuitton developed the iconic ..read more

When there is a threat of wildfires in the area, time is of the essence to safeguard collections.  While the evacuation of a collection is the ideal solution, limited timing, access to packing materials, or the sheer volume of items, may prove it to be prohibitive. If you need to evacuate and need to leave your collection behind, here are a few recommendations to help protect your pieces, and assist with potential recovery in the future Maintain an updated collection inventory and have a digital copy available to share, if needed, a digital copy makes it easy to share pertinent ..read more