Artisans of the Valley’s Blog Site

Museum Quality antique and collectible chess set restoration by Artisans of the Valley including an 1849 Stauton Series Jaques of London Tournament Set.

Typical of the restoration candidates that make their way into our shop this corner unit was shy of mint condition on arrival. It was incredibly dry, the back was loose, the doors loose, panels falling out. The paint was flaking and deteriorated, finish was almost gone and just dirt and grime covering the piece. Pieces like this are often plucked from demolition projects, they can often be found in reclamation yards or auctions when a house is about to be torn down.

Artisans of the Valley Restoration – Louie XV Commode Circa 1750This is a circa 1750 Louie XV Commode – arriving as a 3-legged version of its original form this piece had been broken in one of the most common situations … moving! The formula is very simple: Three moves = one fire.

Artisans Quarterly Review Volume 2 Issue 3 by Artisans of the Valley is available as of August 31, 2009 and may be accessed with any PDF viewer by clicking on the following links or pasting them into our browser.

As we complete the first decade of the of the 21 first Century we at Artisans of the Valley has noticed a new trend in the collectible and Antique markets which challenges the established definition of furniture values. Artisans discusses the trend of restorations focused on circa 1920-1940 “collectible” furniture.

Artisans of the Valley’s New Wave Gothic Credence Table Returns for a Makeover: All things require upkeep in order to maintain working order and appearance, furniture is certainly no exception. Everyone knows this fact, yet furniture is likely one of the most neglected of all your possessions. New furniture, collectibles, and antiques all require upkeep.