Crystal Repair, Glass Polishing, Chandelier Repair

Restoration Services is one of only four companies recommended by Steuben for repair of their fine crystal. We are also recognized for our skill repairing Baccarat crystal.

We have perfected three methods of glass repair over the last fifteen years:

Grinding and polishing of chips and scratches

Grinding of glass is an old process where felt wheels and powdered lava are aided by modern diamond technology. The skill lies in a steady hand and the patience to see the process through to perfection.

Reconstruction of broken and cracked glass

Reconstructing glass is based on one or two modern conservation epoxies that have three remarkable properties:

they are optically the same as glass, so that the repairs are much less visible

they are very strong; stronger than the glass itself

they are so thin that they seep into and heal a crack in glass that hasn't even broken.

BEFORE
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AFTER
(click for larger image)

This is a reverse glass painting. Sometimes we work on them when the actual glass has broken, as in this case, and sometimes we are asked to re-adhere the painting to the glass. They are tricky to put back together because old glass is never flat, and therefore cannot be placed on a flat surface to glue. We must work on the glass vertically. In these photographs, you can see that the optical epoxy has the almost magical property of diminishing the visibility of the breaks.

BEFORE

AFTER

This disaster is not uncommon in our line of work. The main chandelier repair techniques use optical epoxy and small aluminum collars that fit inside broken chandelier arms.

Shreve Crump & Low

Shreve Crump & Low, Boston's premier jewelry store, was designed as a flower of the Art Deco. As styles changed over the years, designers tried to move away from this fact, and when store designer Lucy Bouwman started to recreate the store's delicate Deco decor, there were some surprises. We were called in to renovate the lighting, one of the most critical elements of the design. We were able to bring back three beautiful light-boxes in the ceiling (possibly made by Lalique) that had been covered by soot and become almost invisible. The eight dingy wall sconces were transformed into Deco gems of chrome and polished brass, and the central chandelier was cleaned and had three glass panels repaired. We were allies to Lucy's love of sophisticated Deco design, and the main showroom is now back to its elegant beginnings.

Crystal Repair, Glass Polishing, Chandelier Repair

Restoration of Reverse Glass Painting

Chandelier Repair

Shreve Crump & Low