Restoration, Conservation and Gilding

It is important to conserve the condition of a work of art to retain its value for future generations. At Bell Fine Art we have the experience to advise on all aspects of restoration and conservation.

Over the year’s oil paintings collect dust, dirt and nicotine discoloration, they may need patching, relining or retouching too. Many would be dramatically enhanced by sympathetic cleaning and restoration. Watercolours and other works on paper often require removal of foxing, discoloration and staining, as well as reframing using specialist conservation materials.

Oil painting showing before and after dirt and discoloured varnish removed		Watercolour showing before and after surface clean and removal of "foxing"

Like paintings, frames also can suffer over the years, gilding discolours and frames can suffer knocks and lose pieces. At Bell Fine Art we have the expertise to repair and regild these heirlooms.

On several occasions we have repaired a carved and gilded frame that has been of greater value than the artwork it surrounds!

Mirror frames from the 18th and 19th centuries are often wonderfully decorative and hence prone to damage.

Bell Fine Art would be pleased to give an assessment of a painting’s or frame’s condition and advise on how to keep its quality secure for the future.

Remaking and regilding lost pieces of a hand carved wooden frame.