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BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, BERKSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE |
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An interesting project requiring restoration, conservation and repair undertaken by James Hughes Clocks workshop. Our brief was basically to bring it back to as near as it was in the 1770s, as it was a cherished family item and had been in the family for at least 200 years and probably all of its life.
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Before:
Casework Hood: This was dismantled and reassembled to correct alignment. New parts were made to replace where missing: part of the pediment moulding, three finials and their pedestal, mask sections on either side. The door hinges were replaced with the correct 'swan neck' types. The hood and door were structurally strengthened.
Casework Trunk: New parts were made to replace where missing; this included a number of the feet and some of the mouldings. The missing door lock was replace, along with a suitable period key. Some previous unsuitable repairs were corrected, for example a previous repair using straight grained oak was replaced with the correct burr (pippy) oak. Splits, holes and blemishes were repaired. The casework structure was made sound by replacing the interior glue blocks where missing. The whole casework was then treated with linseed oil to nourish the wood and revive colour tones, then applications of shellac polish to seal the wood grain, then multiple applications of natural tone beeswax to finish.
Before
After
Movement: The strike train barrel front plate and the going train barrel front and back plates were re-bushed. The movement, pillars and plates were realigned to ensure all wheels made correct contact. A new anchor escapement was made. Missing alignment pegs and gut lines were replaced. The pendulum bob was polished and the weights blackened. A new second hand was made in appropriate style. The dial was restored, components re-silvered and the hands re-blued.
Restored
More pictures of this restoration project ...
in and around Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.