| Furniture Restoration and Conservation
by Edmund Czajkowski & Son Ltd.
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Final polishing of a
restored Dutch marquetry commode by Michael Czajkowski, the present
owner of the firm, Edmund Czajkowski & Son Ltd.
We are specialist conservators and restorers of all kinds
of furniture.
In our workshops at Woodhall Spa near Lincoln in Lincolnshire
within the East Midlands, England, we conserve and restore
antique furniture, both English and continental.
We have all the necessary skills of timber consolidation,
carving, gilding, French, oil and wax polishing, marquetry,
metal work, inlay and Boulle work (an expensive marquetry of
brass and tortoiseshell).
We have a vast range of old timber and there are very few
species of timber that we cannot obtain to match missing timbers.
Considerable care is taken in the staining and colouring of
replacement timber and veneers. This work is naturally time
consuming, but poor quality conservation and restoration can
severely devalue, what was otherwise and valued item of furniture.
Examples of our work can be found in homes and museums throughout
Lincolnshire and the East Midlands, Yorkshire, England and
in Europe.
Because of our clock restoration work we also repair metalwork,
handles etc as part of our furniture restoration.
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| Michael Czajkowski
is an accredited conservator with the Institute
of Conservation (ICON), registered with the Museum’s
Conservation register, and a member of the British
Antique Furniture Restorer’s Association (B.A.F.R.A.).
This ensures that the best principles of conservation practice
are adhered to. |
Restoration of 19th century walnut corner chair,
the
legs utterly destroyed by woodworm.
After restoration, the damaged legs have been
saved by doweling and impregnation with special resins. These
resins, though expensive make it possible to preserve timber
that in the past would have been replaced. |
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leg fragments ready to glue together after impregnating
the worm eaten timber with resin.
Note the large dowel that will support the leg. The
fragments by the side will be glued back into their
original position. |
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Chair in pieces, prior to assembly. |
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Restoration of Mahogany sofa table c.1830
as brought into our workshop. |
Finished
table. |
During restoration of similar table.
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We also do restoration of paintwork and japanning.
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After restoration
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Restoration of lacquer corner cupboard c. 1760
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Re-gilding of a pair of console tables c. 1810 after restoration
of woodwork and finish.
Applying the 23 ½ ct double thickness gold leaf using
a water based size as originally used on this piece.
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Edmund Czajkowski & Son Ltd, conserve and restore carved
and gilded furniture. |
Colouring in new inlay (to replace missing) on leg of Dutch
marquetry chair. |
Finished Chair
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Some items arrive in pieces and need to be
re-built, as
is the case with this 17th century oak panelled chest
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Victorian Loo table after restoration.
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Restoration of an Early Mahogany
kneehole desk c.1750
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Restoration of early 19th century Dutch bureau, after restoration.
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Interior of Dutch bureau after restoration |
Showing replacement of missing pieces of marquetry prior to
colouring and polishing |
Restored very rare 19th century arabesque marquetry cabinet.
Possibly by Stephen Webb
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19th century Boulle (Buhle) cabinet, after restoration
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Detail of restored Boulle work around door.
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Edwardian cabinet after restoration
of fire damage. |
Part of the fire damage caused by a candle not been properly
extinguished |
Restoration of walnut cabinet c.1690
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French Louis XV commode.
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During polishing of the repairs.
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Restored country desk, made from various fruitwoods.
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19th century polychromed pine box. Above: after applying
gesso to replace that which was missing.
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After restoration of the simulated oak graining.
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Edwardian occasional writing table.
The table “gilded” with
Schlag metal (imitation gold sheet).
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Dutch parquetry topped table
following restoration.
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Mahogany breakfast table
after restoration.
The top had
split into three pieces.
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Damage to leg of rosewood veneered Sheraton sliding mirror,
c. 1790.
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The back panel of the mirror after conservation of the embroidery.
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Completed mirror with its
glass slid upwards |
Tthe finished mirror with the glass down
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Above: Late 18th century giltwood settee after
restoration and re-gilding.
Left: Early 19th century French giltwood chair,
after restoration. Tapestry specifically designed for the chair
in Madeira, Portugal. |
Restoration of a Picture frame after it had fallen off the
wall. |
After repairing the damaged corner the repairs are covered
with plaster (gesso)
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The plaster is then covered with a yellow clay size
(clay
mixed with a weak gelatine based glue)
and then genuine 23 ½ ct
gold leaf is applied,
handling it with a special brush.
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Gold leaf on a cushion. It is cut into shape,
picked up
with the brush (tip) and laid on top
of the water based size.
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When dry the new gold is burnished with pieces
of agate
mounted in wooden handles to give the
correct depth of shine.
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Pair of giltwood chairs during restoration
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Giltwood chairs after restoration
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French table after replacement of missing timber. |
After staining and polishing. |
Walnut Chest of Drawers
following restoration
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Oval Loo Table after restoration |
Rare 18th century gondola seat, after restoration. |
Tip up table veneered in horn. Missing horn moulding
and veneers replaced. Probably made in India, mid. 19th century. |
Conservation of early velocipede
for Louth Museum, Lincolnshire
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Conservation of metalwork and rotten woodwork on
a cell door
for Louth Museum, Lincolnshire. |
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Davenport desk after restoration
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Mahogany commode after restoration.
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Red walnut drop leaf table
after restoration |
William IV drop leaf writing table
after restoration
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Satinwood bookcase after restoration
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18th century mahogany bureau as it arrived at our workshop. |
The bureau
after restoration. |
One of a pair of carved Italian girandole.
New sconce
designed, made and fitted. |
Portuguese rosewood tea table (like a card table but
without baize) after restoration.
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Portuguese rosewood tea table
during restoration
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Louis Xvi commode
after restoration.
, and Right, Both after restoration.
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Commode by J Roussel (JME)
submitted as his examination
piece
to the jury of master cabinetmakers.
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Edmund Czajkowski & Son Ltd. 96 Tor
O' Moor Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. LN10 6SB
Tel. 01526 352895 ~ Email: enquiries@czajkowski-furniture.co.uk
Company Registration Number NL18225747
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