Issue Three

Our Approach to Box RestorationOur Approach to Box RestorationOur Approach to Box RestorationOur Approach to Box Restoration

a catalogue of a catalogue of a catalogue of a catalogue of examplesexamplesexamplesexamples

Jackdaw Boxes Jackdaw Boxes Jackdaw Boxes Jackdaw Boxes Somerset UK Somerset UK Somerset UK Somerset UK www.jackdawboxes.co.uk www.jackdawboxes.co.uk www.jackdawboxes.co.uk www.jackdawboxes.co.uk

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Something which is old and broken, and which is mended, is worth

a hundred times more than something which is new.

This Issue should help to illustrate some of our approaches to the restoration and

refurbishment of our boxes. You might also want to view it as a catalogue of examples

if you have the need to use our Restoration & Refurbishment Service.

Sometimes we never know what might be found under layers of history, each box is

unique. Whether a page of an old newspaper helps to date the box in which it was

found, and used as padding, one knows not. The owner was pleased to get it back

with the box, now ready for a new life.

The Weekly Times of Sunday July 24th

1859

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ExamplesExamplesExamplesExamples of our Approaches of our Approaches of our Approaches of our Approaches

Structural Repair page 4

Hinging page 6

Slopes page 9

Inset Trays page 10

Brass-work page 12

Mother of Pearl page 15

Banding page 17

Veneers & Patching page 19

Other Finishing page 20

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Structural RepairStructural RepairStructural RepairStructural Repair

Many of the boxes which we buy for our website shop would be frequently perceived

as being at the end of their useful working and decorative lives. The rationale behind

our work is:

• such items are no longer being made.

• they are usually already between 100 to 200 years old.

• this time cannot be bought.

• each has a history that is unique.

• what remains is usually salvageable.

Our work has thus been referred to as ‘up-cycling’. We believe that such items, once

restored, have the potential for being around for at least a further 100 – 200 years.

They are part of our cultural heritage.

Most structural repairs relate to wear and tear or misuse of some kind. Frequently the

sides and bottoms will need to be re-glued. We employ the traditional and original hot

glue method. We try to ensure that as much as, and as many of, the original elements

are retained.

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The roll-top element of this Oak Table Desk has been completely rebuilt with only just

a few of the original slats having to be replaced. Other internal elements of the letter

rack and pen area also needed re-gluing.

Where it is necessary we restore with similar elements which will have been reclaimed

from broken boxes.

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HingingHingingHingingHinging With many boxes it is the hinging elements which have been exhausted over time

and which show the efforts of previous intervention. The following photographs

indicate the use of overlarge nails and screws, the use of nailed seat-webbing and

inappropriate hinges.

In the case of the Indian silvered metal box shown below, the original rusted wire-

hinging has been drilled out and replaced with new.

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Our restoration approach recognises that hinges are likely to get the most wear and

tear in the future. This hinging function on writing slopes would have been previously

achieved with a fabric material. We introduce small brass hinges to replace this

material.

These two images

indicate the larger slope

being surface-hinge

mounted; the hinges are

on the right-hand and left-

hand edges of the surface

of the slope.

The leather is cut around

the hinge.

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The two photos below indicate the lower slope being hinged on its edge. With either

approach the upper slope merely lifts out. A decorative banding is introduced across

the central edges of the box itself where there was once the original hinging material.

Leather Hinging in LidsLeather Hinging in LidsLeather Hinging in LidsLeather Hinging in Lids In this case a client wished us to refurbish her box and to retain the material-hinged

compartment of the opening lid. This was done in leather, using the old green linen as

a template.

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SSSSlopeslopeslopeslopes

Because of the original method of hinging it is quite usual for the original slope

material to be broken along their joins, and/or to be lost completely. All of the boxes in

our Web Shop have been resurfaced with leather, and where completely new slopes

have been introduced, this will be indicated.

The lower slope will be hinged as described in the last section and the upper slope will

merely lift out using a simple tab.

The image below shows a number of upper slopes in the process of having these tabs

attached.

When we develop client-led specifications

there is a wide selection of leathers from

which to choose, both in colour, weight,

texture and pattern. They can range from

traditional through to very contemporary.

Clients are asked for preferences and

samples sent to help in their selection.

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IIIInset Traysnset Traysnset Traysnset Trays

Work Boxes usually had trays inside to hold a number and variety of objects. The

trays have quite often been lost and or broken. Where possible, we repair and retain

what is usable. The images above indicate work for a client-led specification and

reflect this approach.

In the restoration for our Web Shop, Work

Boxes are given a new lease of life by the

introduction of newly-made Inset Trays. This

will be indicated in each box’s description.

The tray will invariably be made in new

pine and decorated on its top edge

with a banding. Its dimensions will also

be given in its description. The pine

will mellow and darken over time.

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The three following images above help to further illustrate our approach. In the first a

small box has an extended use through the introduction of an Inset Tray. In the

second, a large writing slope which had lost all of its interior, save one slope, has

been given a new life. In the last, a new Inset Tray has been made to replace that

which has been lost.

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BrassBrassBrassBrass----workworkworkwork

Where possible we do not intrude upon any box unless we have to in order to restore

any brass-work which has come adrift and been lost. In some cases we have to

improvise and try to be creative with materials available. We are always seeking old

fittings. In the case of client-driven specifications, we are always mindful of

approaches which make the process of restoration affordable. If it can be found, most

original brassware is disproportionately expensive, even before its fitting.

Because of this box’s meaning to the owners, along with its age and quality, CNC

Punching was employed to fashion a new inset from a sheet of brass. The key

surround was similarly replaced.

In the following example the key surround for the upper slope lock, was too small for

the above approach and had to be done by hand.

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In most cases we replace missing key insets by hand since each will invariably have

an original, unique seating in the box. New brass sheet will be used unless there is

something suitable in our reclaimed stores.

Locks are frequently removed and sold on and keys get lost. Where appropriate we

will introduce a new lock with working key. If available we will insert an old lock with or

without a working key. Reference is always made in the Web Shop to the nature of

this element of any box. In the case of client-led work one question we always ask is: –

“Do you need a working lock?”

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A new brass keyhole

has been inserted here,

where the original was

missing.

Brass banding sometimes

lifts over time, frequently

because of the movement of

any wooden parts resulting

from the conditions in which it

is kept and cared for.

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Mother of PearlMother of PearlMother of PearlMother of Pearl

As with brass, so with mother of pearl. The insets get damaged or get detached and

lost over time. Our approach for its replacement is similar to that of brass, except that

all of the work is done by hand.

In the case above, each of the small four pieces of mother of

pearl had been lost and the client

elected for their replacement.

The example left indicates a circular

inset being replaced, whilst on the

right the insets on the lid and at the

keyhole have been replaced.

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In some cases, because of what has already been done, a value-judgement is made

– all things considered.

In the illustration above, the mother of pearl inset was put in prior to the box coming

into our hands. It was glued with material such that it might not be released from the

box and the actual immediate key surround was badly damaged. The approach has

been, to excavate the damaged key area and to set into the retained mother of pearl a

small brass key inset, which resonates with the brass on the lid.

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BandingBandingBandingBanding

We use banding in the same fashion as one might engage with any approach to

employing finishing and cover strips. The idea is to ‘lift’ the box with a decorative

finish. At the same time it can have the effect of being able to deflect the eye from the

dents and knocks any box might get over time. We hold quite a range of such

materials for both our own boxes and restoration in client-driven specifications.

In these cases, as with other finishing materials, samples are suggested and sent for

personal selection.

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There are specific instances where we will use banding and these have already been

illustrated in the sections relating to Hinging, Slopes and Inset Trays. Where the

original fabric operating the slopes has been replaced with brass hinging the exposed

edges of a Writing Box will have a decorative banding introduced. Where we have

made new Inset Trays the top edge might also have a narrow banding introduced.

Client-led specifications might lead to an adaptation of an existing box for a new and

specific purpose. In the example below, the client required a lift-out tray to hold their

Mah Jong pieces. They selected banding to give the tray a more decorative appeal.

Examples of banding across the centre of writing slopes:-

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Veneers & PatchingVeneers & PatchingVeneers & PatchingVeneers & Patching

One of the first jobs we carry out is to ensure that any existing veneer is secure.

Where necessary we will introduce a patch which is matched-in as best as possible.

The most frequent veneers we meet are Rosewood, Walnut and Mahogany. Usually

we will use materials from our reclaimed stock. In some cases new marquetry veneer

work can be introduced in any design element of our restoration approach.

In some cases new veneers might be used and can be incorporated into any client-led

specifications in which the selection of a wide range of interesting grains and textures

is available.

In the example above left, the client required the conversion of a Victorian decanter

holder to take silverware, through the introduction of a series of small drawers, the

face of each to have a selected new veneer.

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Other FinishingOther FinishingOther FinishingOther Finishing

Besides the illustrative examples already given of what might be considered as

finishes to the functioning and appearance of any box, here are a few summary

examples of our practice and approach.

Before any box is about to enter its final finishing stages e.g. measurement for leather

or lining papers, we give all boxes a good coat of a Fine Paste Wax. From here on in

as we continue to handle the box the wax is helped into the surface grain. Before all

chance of marking any final coverings is reached, and prior to their gluing, this coat is

eventually polished and coverings are glued. The final surface will then have up to 3-4

coats of a Finishing Wax before it is stored in the Box Room. Prior to its dispatch the

box will be re-polished.

Our thoughts are, that in the majority of cases

any box will not have been cleaned or fed for

decades, and our job is for it to leave us in good

health. Wood needs feeding. Lacquered boxes

are finished with a natural carnauba wax.

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The majority of our boxes will be lined out with hand-made papers derived from

sustainable sources. This ethical sourcing applies not only to the product but also to

its means of production. With client-led specifications samples are sent or agreed on-

site, for final selection. There are a variety in terms of texture, colour and pattern.

The base of each box in the Web Shop will have a new felt baize in green. Other

colours are available in client-led restoration.

We hold a fair range of finishing leathers for boxes which go into the Web Shop. We

also have further access to a remarkably wide range of leathers. Thus in client-led

specifications the possibilities are fairly endless. In these situations samples are sent

for final selection.

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I

In this example, the client wished to retain as much of the old covering as possible.

The solution which was arrived at was to steam the covering from the inside of the lid

which in the main was in very poor condition. It gave us enough of the original

material, however, to patch in the area behind the lock which was badly damaged.

There was also enough to effect a similar repair to the rear of the inset tray. The lid

was lined out with a selected, new paper.

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Sometimes, whether it be for our own boxes or for those of clients, we are able to

suggest and introduce something which can give a box a little ‘something’ - which we

might have ‘just lying about’, awaiting its opportunity.

In the first example above, two small mother of pearl studs have been introduced to

secure a flap on the inside of a Work Box.

The photo on the right shows an old,

small brass star which has found its

resting place to help in the ‘lift’ of an

old, Writing Box slope.

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• Our approach to box restoration is one of conservation for the future rather than

preservation.

• We aim to “up-cycle” – to take a box which maybe shabby and broken and ensure

it is fit for a new life, whilst retaining its unique historical integrity.

• We want these old boxes to continue to give pleasure and be useful for the years

ahead.

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To see boxes for sale on the Web Shop go to:

www.jackdawboxes.co.uk

If you want a box restored, contact Helen or Adrian at: info@jackdawboxes.co.uk

Jackdaw Boxes is subsidiary of FourthR Limited Company No.4451862