Conservation, with the sea in mind
This was painted in approximately 1900, by our client’s husband’s Swedish great grandfather. He was a ship captain, and was lost at sea in 1910.
The painting had a dark layer of discolored varnish and soot obscuring the surface. There were some losses in the paint layer and scratches.
The restoration process included a cleaning with a combination of solvent solutions. An isolating varnish of Paraloid B-67 with 2% Tinuvin 292 hindered-amine light stabilizer was brushed over the surface. Losses were filled with Flügger and inpainted with pigment ground in Laropal A81 aldehyde resin. A final coat of Paraloid B-67 with Tinuvin was applied.
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A Collection of Civil War badges is displayed
This client’s Great-Great-Grandfather fought in the Civil War for the Indiana 44th Infantry regiment. After the war, he attended many of the GAR reunions, acquiring a badge at each one. After his death, his daughters (both of whom I knew as a child – one as an adult) created the display of badges that you have prepared the shadow box to house. One of his daughters, the Great-Great-Aunt I knew even as an adult, was an invalid and never married. Until her death in the late 1970s she received a Civil War pension as a dependent of a veteran – the princely sum of $11 a month!
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The New Bedford Whaling museum repairs its lamp
The New Bedford Whaling Museum contacted us with a very special project. Their Pairpoint Mushroom electric lamp, made in the time somewhere between 1907-1929, was in pieces.
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An antique carousel horse is restored
This antique carousel horse was brought to Trefler’s as part of a larger fire claim which included an incredible private collection of fine and decorative artworks. The capabilities of our full-service studio, coupled with the trained hands of our skilled restorers, allowed our team to address damage to the wide array of objects, antiques and artworks that were affected by this unanticipated and unfortunate event.
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Framing a Soviet-era shawl woven with family history
This beautiful Russian shawl was brought into Trefler’s framing department with a story that spans three generations of women.
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A Sentimental Armoire Gets An Update
This piece was incredibly sentimental to its owner, however its original finish was heavy and no longer suited its contemporary surroundings. With the ambition to give this armoire a new aesthetic, Trefler’s furniture department worked extensively with the client to create a custom finish that would re-imagine the piece of furniture by simply refinishing it.
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A Family’s Dollhouse is Restored For Future Generations
This dollhouse was originally played with by Boston architect John Hubbard Sturgis, who would later come to design the Codman House in Lincoln, MA, and the personal residence of Isabella Stewart Gardner.
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Original Boston Garden Benches are Given a Custom Base
This historic artifact was once part of the Boston Garden, and was later acquired by a private collector through a local fundraiser. With hopes of preserving the history of the benches, while also restoring their function, their new owner enlisted Trefler’s team to ensure these benches could be appreciated for years to come.
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An Asian Figurine is Put Back Together
This antique Asian figurine came to Trefler’s in several pieces after taking a fall. Our Decorative Arts Department securely re-attached the figure’s head and shoe. Filling and sanding of the fractured areas was required in order to ensure a smooth surface texture. Finally, the affected areas were painted and color matched to the original glazing, restoring it to its former self.
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An Iconic Steamer Trunk is Conserved
This Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk came to Trefler’s for minor conservation and cleaning. It was presented with its original paper tags and stickers. During its lifetime, its various owners made sure to take the right measures to preserve this artifact. Despite this, it still required some care and attention to help keep it in tip top shape!
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