Issue Three
Our Approach to Box Restoration a catalogue of examples
Jackdaw Boxes
Somerset
UK
www.jackdawboxes.co.uk
Jackdaw Boxes
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 24 t h 1859
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Examples 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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Jackdaw Boxes
Structural 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. 5
Jackdaw Boxes
Hinging 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 wirehinging 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 lefthand edges of the surface of the slope. The leather is cut around the hinge.
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Jackdaw Boxes
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 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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Slopes 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. 9
Jackdaw Boxes
Inset 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. 10
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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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Jackdaw Boxes
BrassBrass-work 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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Jackdaw Boxes
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 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. 15
Jackdaw Boxes
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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Banding
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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Jackdaw Boxes
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 & 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. 19
Jackdaw Boxes
Other 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. 20
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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 onsite, 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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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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Jackdaw Boxes
• 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 25
Company No.4451862