Restoration of a Regency cartel clock in brown tortoiseshell marquetry and Atlas bronze brass, bearing the clock face. The piece exhibited significant structural and decorative alterations requiring complete intervention according to the principles of conservation-restoration.
State of affairs report
This cartel clock, probably dating from the early 18th century, showed signs of age: lifting marquetry, detachment of the tortoiseshell, oxidation of the brass, and numerous losses. The bronze depicting Atlas, bent under the weight of the celestial vault, was blackened, its expression frozen by decades of dust and oxidation.
All the constituent elements were systematically recorded and the alterations were mapped.
• Partially detached marquetry at 80%, presence of tensions between the different materials (shell and brass) due to hygrometric variations.
• Oxidation on the brass, indicating active corrosion.
• Bleached scale, sometimes brittle, often detached from the base.
• Bronzes covered with a non-uniform black patina, traces of oxidation and wear on the polished areas.
The Restoration
After partial dismantling of the added elements, the solid oak support was stabilized:
• Occasional rehydration of certain subsided areas, followed by pressing.
• Consolidation dovetail joints using reversible animal glue injection.
• Deposit of certain brass components and deoxidation by bath.
• Rehydration scales and glues by vacuum infiltration.
• Restitution brass missing after cutting on the marquetry easel.
• Regluing marquetry using hot animal glue to ensure reversibility and compatibility.
After cleaning and deoxidizing the unpainted brass marquetry by peeling, a light coat of shellac varnish was applied. Finally, the varnish was buffed and a layer of microcrystalline wax was applied. The bronzes were cleaned ultrasonically, taking care not to abrasion the modeling. A natural patina was recreated using waxes and oxides, restoring the figure's dignity and nobility without betraying its age.
Restoring a Boulle marquetry clock case means finding a balance between historical accuracy and artisanal skill. The bronze of Atlas, once again in its majesty, becomes the central focus of this clock, symbolizing the strength and endurance of time.
Through this restoration, a whole facet of French decorative art is brought back to life, paying homage to the craftsmanship of cabinetmakers of yesteryear while respecting contemporary requirements. This intervention aimed for maximum reversibility, clarity of the restorations, and respect for the original materials. The restored cartel clock thus regains its aesthetic unity and structural stability, preserving the marks of time as a testament to its authenticity.
