Artisans of the Valley - Restoration Gallery Gaming Page 1

Chess Set Restorations! We've now lost track of how many sets we've restored, check back soon for a feature section showing multiple restorations projects. Also note, we now have a nice new Delta Midi-Lathe setup to reproduce missing turned pieces!

Be sure to check out our feature articles, as well as some great detail for Chess Players and Set Collectors at www.chesscollectors.com.

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1849 Jaques Staunton Tournament Set - Restoration of this rare 1849 Jaques Staunton chess set was a unique treat for Stanley & Eric - a first time game restoration project. The set is the 9th out of 300 sets, and currently the oldest known existing set. The set arrived with sixteen damaged pieces, missing various chips, pips, and crosses.

Shown above are the white King, Queen, and Bishops before and after. Replacing these intricate parts takes time but the result is set that regains its visual appeal and restores the set to at least 80% of it's pristine value. Below the tattered clan of battered pawns appear unrestored on the left and to the right in restored condition.

Part of a second chess set restoration project - these three knights represent different sets. One arrived in pristine shape as a model, the second missing it's entire snout, and the third --- well that was just the base it was missing. To the left is, well, someone else's attempt at a knight replacement!

The set below is an extremely intricate antique ivory set. The set arrived missing three out of four balls on the rooks, as well as several of the intricate spines surrounding the pieces. Additionally one bishop was missing it's pips.

Antique ivory chess set with new Pips Group of Four

Sets can be restored using antique ivory chips salvaged from various damaged African artwork, piano keys, or other sources.

Ivory carves easily and excepts great detail, as obvious for the original artists work. Splicing in new materials and blending into the original carvings is absolutely feasible.

Additionally, Ivory excepts various dies and pigments to allow for accurate color matching! We'll be happy to restore your ivory sets, as long as legal supplies of antique ivory are available. We have several sources, so please feel free to contact us!

Shown below, another unique character. This theme set is obviously Fiddler on the Roof. Celebrations got a little out of hand, and this piece lost his hand! Some care and time, and he's now as good as new. this repair is just about impossible to detect.

Full size figure sets are a popular display item, this carved wooden set by Arni boasts a king at 11" in height. Arni sets are intricate figurines, not often used for a real game but to make a statement in any game room, library, bar or living room.

The set shown had a knight that lost a leg a foot in what perhaps is a game that will go down in history, and a pawn with a battered shield. Restoration was basically reattaching the foot, filling the chip, and blending the finish and color.

Another Jacques example, this white rook had seen a few better days. The repair in english boxwood is almost impossible to detect.

This set had a piece that was completely snapped in half, pawns missing their entire ball and chipped collars, and the standard issues with bishops missing their pips.

This set an a rook with a its crinolines shattered and missing sections, a queen with a combination of vertical and circumference cracks, a king less its cross, and a few damaged pawns.

The color of knight - on the left, they don't match ... on the right ... they match! Sometimes a replacement piece can be located, but the patina is just not quite right. In such a case a little adjustment with mixtures and potions of dies and tints usually does the trick to improve the match.

Small sets need attention too - these pawns are back in the game as strong as ever! To the left, the chipped collars are apparent, photos to the right are the restored pawns.