Custom design and manufacturing stands for African Works of Art is very interesting challenge. The task is to provide the artwork with a solid support …
Restoration of sculptures
Sculptures, because of their size, dimensions or physical make up are in general more difficult to handle then the average painting. Frequently objects get damaged …
The Cleaning of Paintings
The cleaning of paintings is a very delicate and time consuming task. Broadly one can differentiate between: surface cleaning varnish removal removal of over-paint. Depending …
Gold and Silver Leafing
For more then 7000 years, mankind decorated all sorts of surfaces and items that presented an idealistic value with fine layers of gold. For this …
Not all the glitters is made of Gold.
The advent of the gold bronze paint.
Gilding in its traditional sense means covering a surface with sheets of Gold Leaf. Broadly one differentiates between oil and water gilding techniques. This was …
More from behind the scenes
Well intended, acting as a protective barrier between the work of art and the elements, over time the paper has become a hazard itself. It …
The making of a frame
Some times a slightly unusual approach has to be taken to achieve the desired results. Framing – a very tricky part in the entire process …
Restoring Miniatures
Once I went to visit Vienna in search of a reputable Miniature restorer. I was told there are one or two, but I did not …
Over painted paintings or early cases of plastic surgery?
It does not happen often,but ever now and again one of those cases comes along. Here someone did not like the original looks of the …


Refurbishment of a Coat of Arms
This Coat of Arms is housed in the Michaelis Collection on Greenmarket Square in Cape Town. The project was challenging, as the museum was open …