London Clock Dial Restoration UK
Clock dial restoration
Brass & Painted
1.Restoration Service
We offer a complete restoration service for brass dials and painted dials on antique clocks. Our work is of the highest standard and examples of our restored work can be found in the pictures above. Each dial is carefully measured, scanned, photographed and analyzed prior to restoration.All paint or ink is tinted to match the original.Face composition (letters, trademarks, secondary dials) are painted to match the original with as high of accuracy as technically possible.Finials are hand painted using the same techniques and tools used 100 years ago.
Our number one goal is enhance the quality and value of every clock we are privileged to assist in the restoration of. Art conservation methods, tools and materials are used in all restoration processes.
2.History of painted dial
The history of dial making is itself a fascinating story. The main centre of the dial making industry was Birmingham, and, surprisingly, spans only 100 years from 1770 to 1870, after which brass dials became fashionable again. Apart from the number of businesses involved in dial manufacture, a number of artists were involved in the various aspects of illustration, lettering, number work, gilding etc., with standards ranging from naive country style to very fine work. The main producers of quality dials were Wilson, Walker & Hughes, and Finnemore
For more information on the history of Painted Dials please refer to The Art of the Painted Clock Dial by M.F.Tennant.
3.The restoration Process
Painted Dial Restoration
Most movement work is carried out on the premises in our own workshops and we are used to working on anything from simple timepieces to complicated multi train musical, Grand Sonnerie and automata clocks. Any replacement parts needed can be sympathetically made in the correct style, including wheels, pinions, verge re-conversions, etc.
After researching a dial, we photograph it to provide a reference to work from. Tracings are also taken with colour references. When required, we can also provide a complete design service from scratch. The dial is then carefully cleaned; rusting must be treated, loose flaking paint removed, and holes filled. Retouching the paintwork takes considerable time as each layer must dry thoroughly to obtain a perfect match.
When quite dry the missing circles and numerals are redrawn. As far as possible all products used are sympathetic to the original. Restoring corner decoration often involves replacing lost gesso work and gilding. Missing hemispheres can be completely redrawn, with reference to historical sources for accuracy. Existing artwork to breakarch, moon-dial and calendar is retouched sympathetically.
When completely dry the dial is carefully varnished, and the winding hole grommets are cleaned or replaced. Brass dials are also resilvered.This is just a brief résumé of the work involved in a dial restoration project, but we hope it is of sufficient interest to you to entrust the restoration and/or conservation of your clock dials to us.
We pride ourselves on the high standards of restoration and conservation we carry out. All our work carries a 3 year written guarantee, and we are confident that we can repair almost anything
Brass Dial Restoration
Other restoration services include reverse painting, brass polishing, regilding and mechanical repairs. Many cottage, steeple and ogee clocks have reverse paintings that have flaked or are missing all together. The new painting is created, if missing, according to original catalogue prints, or the present painting is conserved. Each method employs the use of gold leaf, gold powder, oils and varnish using the techniques of the original masters.
Brass polishing includes bezels, pendulum bobs, weights, dials and even cases. The contaminants are removed based on the safest method necessary, i.e., non-scratching, etc. When clean, the proper polish is applied and the brass is lacquered to prevent retarnishing.
Many ormolu clocks, clock dials, dial sashes and decorations were gilted years ago using a process that was outlawed around 1900 as the gilders were suffering mercurial poisoning.
