Dutch & Duchess is available for period restorations of antique furniture from various wood, wood 
veneer and a variety of  finishes. We make locks turn, chimes ring, drawers glide, with the perfect touch
[See examples of our work below]

We take care of:

traditional furniture restoration

modern furniture repair 

touch up movers' damage

refinishing

French polish

English finish

varnishing

patination

veneer repair

marquetry and parquetry

woodworm treatment

repair of porcelain

We offer:

no obligation estimates

free restoration advice

cost versus value advice

fixed estimates

fixed delivery times

full restoration plans

step by step restoration

photo documentation

written documentation

certificates

pick-up and delivery

As well as:

all hardware (grips, hinges)

keys and locks

caning, rushing and webbing

upholstery

tooled leather

gilding

mirrors

paintings (repair and cleaning)

rewiring of lamps and lusters

repair and cleaning crystal lusters

clock repair

acoustic and electric instruments

 

 

Before

18th Century Louis XVI Period

Metamorphic Sideboard
  Mahogany

Problems:  
Construction warped because of moist damage. Marquetry inlay damaged and partly missing.

click picture for details

Finish, Color, and Condition of wood very poor and seriously mistreated for many years and finally "refinished" with a modern varnish; Missing parts;  Broken roller shutter door. Cracked horizontal surfaces. Inappropriate replacements and poor amateur restorations. Broken locks, missing keys. Bronze ornaments corroded and and dull.

Restoration needed:   Total  

Entering the workshop: Complete structure was gently taken apart 

click picture for details

Step by step  appropriately refitted, following original structure and design 

click picture for details

Missing parts were re-added: period brass knobs found  to match the recovered  originals, suitable to the period it was made,  (circa 1780)

Drawers were made to fit and glide easily. 

click picture for details

 Original veneers were carefully removed (steamed) from the warped side. After straightening the warped panel the original veneers were re-applied.

The complete finish was gently removed. Surface damage and discoloration treated. More than 24 layers of traditional French polish were applied. (hand rubbed) 

All bronze hardware pieces were cleaned, treated and re-gilded with 24 crt.  gold in the traditional manner. Period locks were found / remade and antique keys were made to match.

After

Before

19th Century Early Victorian

 Dressing Table
  Mahogany

Problems:  
Construction-wobbly, unstable 
Finish, Color, and Condition of wood; Missing parts,' Swollen' drawers
Inappropriate replacements

Restoration needed:   Total  

Entering the workshop: Complete structure was gently taken apart and appropriately refitted, following original structure and design 

Missing parts were re-added: period knobs were turned to match the recovered  originals, suitable to the period it was made,  (circa 1860)

Swollen drawers were made to fit and glide easily.   

 An amateurish finish consisting of a combination of poorly hand-painted varnish and a synthetic lacquer obviously sprayed on, to 'hide' this failed effort, a thick layer of wax had been applied. Scratches,  fading, due to bleaching from sunlight, left a generally lack luster surface that needed to be brought back to life.

The complete finish was gently removed. Surface damage and discoloration treated. More than 18 layers of shellac was (hand rubbed) applied. Then the top layer was toned down and a light natural wax layer applied to give the piece the protection it needs when daily used.

After

Testimonials

Comment

Years ago we bought our Louis Philippe Mahogany Chest of drawers in France.  

Now the piece needed a serious restoration. The wood had chipped off in many places, due to years of wear and tear and many moves. We were extremely pleased with the end result.
Jaap did a wonderful job in restoring the marks and in giving back the beautiful rich sheen to the wood. 

We are very happy and will certainly work with Jaap again, if we need some furniture restored.

--Nathalie & Nigel Mould

Restoration needed:

Repaired a split in side panel caused by the inner frame which expanded due to changing temperatures. Repaired bottom drawer runners to make it close perfectly again.

Replaced  missing pieces of veneer and colored to match.

Stripped the left side panel which suffered severe water damage and re-colored to match.

French polished all repaired parts and revived dull French polish on the remainder of the piece

Before

The Clock Story

This early 18th Century English Table clock was brought to us  for a simple clean and fix-up. Much to their surprise,  we informed the owners that this clock was made by one of England's most important clock-makers of the 17th/18th Century Braunker Watts. Watts was an apprentice of Joseph Knibb and worked in London, Fleet street from the late 17th Century till his death in the first quarter of the 18th Century. This clock dates from approx. 1720 and needed serious restoration to the clockwork as well as the case.

What started out as a quick fix ended up in a major restoration project including replacing changes made in the past, major mechanical repairs, total cleaning, replacing veneer, ebonizing the case, fretwork, silver-coating, gilding and tuning. This more than 6 month process resulted in a magnificent example of timepiece-history returned to its original glory and currently valued at over  € 35.000,00

After

Before

Mid 19th Century Chinese Elmwood Side Table

Serious blistering, water damage and discoloration

Cracked support filled with a wax filler

Handed down in the family we had this table in our hall for many years. Seeing the result of the restoration I wish we have had this done years ago. A job well done.

--Lisa Edmondson

We invite you  to contact us for 
free estimates or advice 

After

The "later" synthetic varnish carefully removed.

Two layers of natural wax polished
 to a beautiful satin shine revealing
 its original color and "patin".

Removed filler and repaired the crack

PORCELAIN RESTORATION

This 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figure was chipped at the slip of the coat. Very visible.

Although restorations do not increase the value of an antique piece of porcelain, it will enhance the appreciation and enjoyment improving the personal value.

It needs the professional eye to spot the restoration, so enjoy it when you had it done, but be very careful when you purchase.

Comment:

Speechless.........

--Cheryl Vellek

Restoration needed:

Partly disassembled the upper structure and re-glued the panels.

Straitened the warped clock face-door and replaced glass. 

Terminated woodworm and repaired woodworm damage.

Re-produced missing ornaments to match the rescued ones.

Colored and polished walnut weight board.

Recovered old patination and shined up with natural wax.

Before

half way

After

Before

Stay in control

 Buy before the restoration

This Victorian Captains Chair was purchased by a customer before restoration and upholstery. 

This way the customer had control over the type and cost of restoration and  choice of color and material of upholstery.

We invite you  to contact us for 
free estimates or advice 

After

    Back  to D&D Home    I  Open House Invitation   I   Previous page    I Art Home

 

Top