Ancient Artifacts, Antiquities, Repairs & Restoration
Chinese Artifacts Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD and Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Restored
Craftsman Mark Fry restored two terracotta statues from the Tang Dynasty 618-907 and Ming Dynasty 1368-1644. Both ancient sculptures arrived to the workshop in pieces. After careful piecing, gluing and retouching it was restored.
Chinese Western Han Dynasty Horse Statue Xian - 200 BC to 16 AD
This 2,200 years old terra cotta Tang Dynasty statues were restored by Mark Fry. The work done is remarkable! When it arrived to the workshop it was in pieces. Read more to find out about the process of restoring antiquities and ancient artifacts.
Antique Chinese Ancient Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220 CE Tomb Pottery
Ancient Han Dynasty Chinese tomb was badly damaged and shattered. The tablet arrived in a blanket and in pieces. Cleaning and repairs were made as needed to the surface. Cracks were in-painted to match the surrounding area. The tablet received a final protective coating to ensure its preservation for future generations.
19th Century Neoclassical Malachite Vase or Urn
This beautiful ancient bronze and malachite vase was brought tot he workshop in pieces. The neoclassical Russian vase is part of a set of two pairs. The vase was severally cracked and broken. But thanks to the expert craftsmanship of Mark Fry, this masterpiece has been restored and is now ready for display.
Tang Dynasty (618-906 A.D.) Clay Chinese Horse - Restored
This Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-906 A.D.) clay horse statue was restored by, the expert conservator, Mark Fry. The statue had a missing foot made. In addition, the original paint had completely worn away. Museum quality restorations like this one are his specialty. He has the the ability to beautifully and accurately recreate the original appearance of an artifact.
Oriental Warrior Chest With Decorative Brass
This antique chest (more than 300 years old) had been damaged by termites and had been affected by worms and beetles. To repair the cracks and holes in the wood a strong epoxy resin was used. But after careful restoration it is both aesthetically pleasing again and intellectually stimulating. The results are simply stunning!
Gilded Gothic Mirror Repair
A Rancho Mirage client asked me to restore an antique mirror from the medieval era. The frame was gilded and in the 14th-Century gothic style, but it was broken into pieces that needed to be repaired and reassembled. I repaired the frame using a variety of methods and materials, including wood glue, clamps, and wood filler. I then gilded the frame using gold leaf and varnish. The result was a beautiful and functional mirror that the client was thrilled with.
1700's Giltwood Mirror Frame Repair
This is a Palm Springs antique restoration of a broken gilded mirror frame. This 18th Century Giltwood mirror was completely restored from broken pieces and fragments. It arrived in a box and had to be pieced together like a puzzle. The frame was then re-varnished, gilded and the old glass replaced with new hand-blown glass. The result is absolutely stunning!
Clay Bust
This statue arrived in many broken pieces and fragments. It was broken in many different ways with under breaks and over breaks and it had to be fitted together in the right sequence in order for everything to fit back together. I pieced it together carefully and taped to temporarily hold it together. Once all the pieces were glued together on the head section and neck section I epoxy filled the inside where it need reinforcing.
The Restoration of Museum-Quality Russian Commodes from the 18th to Early 19th Century
From Russia during the late 18th to early 19th century, this style of commode features a mahogany wood veneer, the commodes are embellished with gilt-bronze mounts, which are decorative metal pieces that are cast in bronze and then finished with a gold gilding. This technique was particularly popular during the Neoclassical period.
