CIGARETTE BOX - CAPT. A. MACGREGOR

JJ MARAIS TROPHY BY CAPE SILVERSMITH JOHN TOWNSEND - CIRCA 1832

THE COMPLETE RESTORATION OF THE DU PLESSIS COFFEEPOT, BY THE 'UNKNOWN' CAPE SILVERSMITH "HNS".

"HNS" -His Maker's Mark is listed in the various books on Cape Silver as unknown.But an interesting feature is that his name mark is often also accompanied by the "GRAPE" punch, which belonged to Daniel Heinrich Schmidt.

This begs the question, what was the relationship between Schmidt and "HNS" ? This is an historical mystery which is unlikely to be solved, unless new information is unearthed.

After being sold on auction for a record price, the new owner asked Don Sheasby to effect a thorough restoration of the pot.

The very extensive process can be seen in the TUTORIALS section.

                       THE COMPLETE RESTORATION OF THE PAIR OF CANDELABRA BY                                                                           JOHN NEWTON MAPPIN, LONDON, 1888

This pair of candelabra were a feature of the Stephan Welz sale at the Old Mutual Centre, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, on 14th February 2007.

The sale was conducted by Stephan Welz, his last with Stephan Welz & Co.

Made by John Mappin, partner of the famous Mappin and Webb company.                                        The candelabra's combined weight is 22.1 kg. They stand 73cm high

The estimate on the lot was R300 000 - R400 000.                                                                               

The candelabra were sold to an anonymous telephone London buyer, after nail-biting bidding, for R1,200 000.00 to a standing ovation in the room.

The seller, Mrs. Anne W, for whom Don had done the restoration, contacted Don to personally thank him for the very successful outcome due to his restoration work.                                                      She confided to him that prior to him undertaking the work she had been offered R125000 for the pair.

This was the deplorable condition the candelabra were in when Don took the work on.               
The lower half of the candelabrum on the left had at some time been exposed to chemicals which left an almost irremovable layer of grey chloride, which substantially decreased their value. 

                                                       The 2003 restoration of the 

                           DUKE OF CONNAUGHT AND STRATHEARN FIELD FIRING TROPHY

                                            for the Military History Museum, Cape Town

The trophy had suffered very serious damage over many decades. The angel's body was completely crushed. The ribbons on each side were twisted and split. The Cape Town crest had also been crushed, but luckily the enamelling survived intact

THE RANGTON BIRCAGE,BOSCHENDAL WINE FARM, CAPE

This beautiful, historical birdcage required extensive restoration, as can be seen in the TUTORIALS section

HESTER BATEMAN TEAPOT

                                                         HESTER BATEMAN TEAPOT

The original handle had been replaced with an inelegant, crude handle, (see in the tutorial section). 

Luckily I was able to find photographs of another Hester Bateman teapot, (two years younger), with its original very graceful handle. I replicated the handle in African Blackwood, rather than Ebony as it is more durable.

The whole sequence of the making and fitting of the handle can be seen in the TUTORIALS section

VERY LARGE JAPANESE VASE

JAPANESE VASE

This beautiful vase, which stands 760mm high, was handcrafted in silver. It had over many decades been amateurishly "repaired", with masses of lead solder.

The restoration can be seen in the TUTORIALS section

      Owner Lona S. required the restoration of the finial of this Willem Gottfied Lotter sucrierre.                                                            It was missing four finial leaves.

RESTORATION OF A SOVEREIGN CASE

RESTORATION OF A SOVEREIGN CASE WHICH HAD SUFFERED ACIDIC WATER DAMAGE. THE STEEL OPERATING SPRING AND LINK SCREW PIN HAD TO BE REMADE.

The extensive process can be seen in the TUTORIALS section.

COMPLETE REBUILD AND RESTORATION OF A SILVER FRAME

THIS VERY HANDSOME FRAME REQUIRED EXTENSIVE WORK TO THE UNDERLYING FRAMEWORK BEFORE IT COULD BE RECOVERED WITH VELVET AND WATER TAFETTA

The complete restoration process can be viewed in the TUTORIALS section

FOBWATCH TRAVELLING CASE

This was a long process, requiring the partial rebuild of the underlying wooden frame. All the steps taken can be seen in the TUTORIALS sec

CHRISTENING  MUG