What is antique lighting restoration? Tips for restoring antique lighting. "Restored lighting can run the gamut," says Sharon Nunnally, who has been in the antique lighting business for 20 years and is the...
"Restored lighting can run the gamut," says Sharon Nunnally, who has been in the antique lighting business for 20 years and is the owner of Antique Lighting and Restoration in Denver. "A simple rewiring with the original finish left on the fixture is the ideal situation. On the other end, antique lighting restoration could take a piece of antique lighting that has just been mishandled and painted and then it has been fully brought back to its original period look with new painting, parts, sockets and wire but still retaining its original design elements."
Antique lighting restoration is not a do-it-yourself project because it requires many skills. The goal is to restore the lighting fixture to its original condition. Experts must be knowledgeable in history so they will know the era in which the lighting fixture was made and how the craftsman or artist constructed it. They should also know interior design so they recognize the decorating styles of that era and know how the lighting fixture looked in its original room. They must also be chemists in order to successfully mix the chemicals needed for refinishing metals and painting. Metal working skills are used to restore the original finish. Art talent is need to repaint designs on glass shades. And the skills of a master electrician are essential when it comes to rewiring issues. There is also considerable expense involved in maintaining a large inventory of replacement glass, sockets, globes, etc. that may be needed in the restoration project.
The American Institute of Conservation (AIC) is an organization of conservation professionals dedicated to preserving the art and historic artifacts of America's cultural heritage. The AIC offers some tips for selecting a professional to perform any antique restorations. They recommend asking about his or her training and length of professional experience. Find out the scope of practice, which means whether or not conservation is his or her primary business activity. Find out how much experience the person (or staff of people) have working with the kind of object for which you seek help. Ask if the person or company is involved in local or national conservation organizations. These groups have educational meetings, conventions, and seminars to keep skills updated, and they are a great way to network with other professionals.
When you finalize your selection of a professional, he or she will make an appointment to examine what you want restored. This could be an appointment where you personally bring an item, or it may involve having the expert travel to your home or other site. No good professional will give an estimate of cost or time involved without a personal examination. If you agree with the cost and time involved, discuss in detail the methods and materials to be used and the costs for each. Ask about receiving a written or photographic record of the restoration. This will help future generations if repairs are ever needed again. If the project will take a long time, you should be allowed a reasonable number of visits to check the work in progress. Be sure to get all business details in writing so there is no confusion on either side.
The AIC warns against using a restorer whose estimate of cost and/or time needed is way below that of other offers. It is a bad sign if that person will not put in writing the costs and time schedule as well as the methods and materials to be used.
