Published Articles

Many articles and reports have been produced by BAFRA Members, appearing in one, or more of a range of publications, including our BAFRA Journal and the specialist, local and national press.

Below we have compiled some articles of interest:

• Restoration of a George II Mirror c1750

  by Nancy Chinnery

  A report of the restoration of a George II Mirror c1750

• The use of Paint Analysis to aid in the restoration of a 17th Century Italian Painted Frame

  by Lucinda Compton

  A report on the use of Paint Analysis to aid in the restoration of a 17th Century Italian Painted Frame

• Old Woodworking Planes

  by Andrew Stephens

  Many of the best tools ever made are sitting on collectors' shelves gathering dust. It's sad really, but I suppose looking on the bright side they are being preserved for future generations. However, in my opinion these planes were made to be used, and should still be used and enjoyed by the craftsmen of today. If you don't use old tools, all I can say is - you don't know what you're missing!

• Retaining Original Surfaces

  by Bruce Luckhurst

  Students studying advanced restoration techniques are often presented with the problem of re-jointing panels or table tops without removing any of the original surfaces.

• Sourcing and Storing Period Timber

  by Alan Hessel

  Finding period timber has always been a problem. Managing and storing it is an even bigger problem.

• For Today we have Naming of Parts

  by Treve Rosoman, Curator London Region, English Heritage

  In this short article Treve Rosoman covers some of the misnomers that have been used over the years, and also to look at some of the odd spellings and terminology from old inventories; words that, once understood, can go a long way to understanding the original context.

• Tools and Techniques 1600-1840

  by Dr Clive Edwards

  Fundamental to the understanding of furniture is an interest in the continuities and changes in the use of tools, and the application of techniques to furniture making.

• Care and Conservation of Long Case Clocks

  by Michael Barrington

  A report on the Care and Conservation of Long Case Clocks

• Analysis and Restoration of an Italian Cassone c1400

  by Richard Higgins

  A report of the Analysis and Restoration of an Italian Cassone c1400.

• The Reupholstery of a Pair of Bergeres

  by Bert Chapman MBE and Michael Barrington

  Report of the Reupholstery of a Pair of Bergeres

• Restoring Leather Castors

  by Michael Barrington

  Leather castors, their origin and how to restore them.

• Cramping of Risen Table Top Veneer

  by Michael Barrington

  Report of the Cramping of Risen Table Top Veneer.

• Conservation and Restoration of four Japanned Chairs c1815

  by Peter Hatchett with a Foreword by Michael Barrington

  Report of the conservation and restoration of four Japanned Chairs c1815.

• Restoration of a Japanned Longcase Clock c1705

  by Eva-Louise and Noel Pepperall

  Report of the Restoration of a Japanned Longcase Clock c1705

• Marquetry Mouldings

  by Richard Higgins

  Marquetry Moulding restoration.

• The Care of Antique Furniture

  by John W. L. Kitchen MBE

  >We cannot live in comfort and apply the most stringent principles of Conservation to our antique furniture. We can and should be knowledgeable of the damaging elements that, if ignored, will hasten the destruction of the organic and some inorganic materials from which our furniture may be made.

• Reupholstery of Antique Seat Furniture

  by Bert Chapman MBE

  Methods used to reupholster Antique Seat Furniture.

• Care of Antique Furniture - Environmental Control

  by Valerie Taplin, Air Improvement Centre

  Air Improvement Centre antique care leaflet

• Restoration of a Seventeenth Century Indian Ivory Inlaid Cabinet Table

  by Peter Brazier

  A report of the restoration of a Seventeenth Century Indian Ivory Inlaid Cabinet Table

• Surface Restoration to Antique Metalwork

  by Peter Hatchett

  Peter Hatchett shares thoughts and experience of some of the traditional methods of rust removal and simple chemical colour enhancement, to simulate age or blend an area of over abraded or new metal with the existing colour or patination adjacent.

• Restoration Report for the Grand Master's Throne and pair of Warden's Chairs

  by R M Dudman

  A report of the restoration of a Grand Master's Throne and pair of Warden's Chairs for the Library and Museum of Freemasonry.

• Mercurial Barometers

  by Michael Barrington

  Case study about the complete conservation and restoration of a mercurial barometer.

• The Furnishing of an Eighteenth Century Bed

  by Bertram Chapman MBE

  Reupholstery of an elegant Flying Tester Bed from Raynham Hall in Norfolk

• BDMA and BAFRA MasterClass - What to do when Disaster strikes

  by Unity Norwak

  A masterclass on the safe retrieval and subsequent care of fine art and antiques following a disaster.

• BAFRA at the LAPADA Autumn Antiques and Fine Art Fair 2007

  by Michael Barrington

  The BAFRA stand at Cheltenham was a great success and attracted the greatest number of visitors to the Fair, giving our Members and Associates a great opportunity to show the public what we do, how we do it and why.

• Shellac, an old friend

  by Gerald Langley

  As restorers and conservators, a material which I am sure we all come into contact with on a fairly regular basis is shellac.

• Advisory Note - The Routine Care of Historic Furniture and Fixed Woodwork in Churches

  by BAFRA

  Advice Note prepared by the Regional Furniture Society in association with BAFRA (British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association) and The Churches Conservation Trust, January 2009.