TimberRevive BristolAntique Furniture Conservation
Targeted at owners of Victorian, Georgian, and Edwardian pieces who want to preserve historical value without over-restoring. We use traditional animal hide glues, shellac french polishing, and reclaimed period timber for losses. The original patina remains intact while structural faults are stabilized.
What is included
- ✓Hot hide glue joinery for historical reversibility
- ✓Hand-rubbed button shellac French polishing
- ✓Veneer blister laying and grain alignment
- ✓Period-accurate reclaimed timber splices
- ✓Brass hardware cleaning and re-pinning
- ✓Microcrystalline wax preservation coat
Request a timber repair quote
Fill in the details below. We review the job and contact you within 4 hours during working days.
Our workmanship standard
If a reglued joint loosens or a finish peels within 12 months of our repair, we return and fix it at our own expense. If our repair does not match what we agreed in the written quote, we adjust the bill before you pay. Pricing & payment
Questions about this service
Will French polishing make my antique look like new plastic?
No, shellac produces an authentic, mellow depth of shine that synthetic lacquers cannot copy.
Can you match 19th-century mahogany veneer?
Yes, we keep stocks of reclaimed Cuban and Honduran mahogany offcuts specifically for veneer patches.
Is traditional animal hide glue strong enough?
Hide glue creates a permanent joint that can be safely softened and disassembled by conservators in 50 years.
How we get your furniture sorted
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1
Patina assessment
Determine original shellac or oil layer without stripping historic ground layers.
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2
Veneer relaying
Inject warmed bone glue beneath lifted veneer blisters and clamp with heated cauls.
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3
Timber grain filling
Pumice and alcohol slurry used to fill open grain without synthetic fillers.
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4
French polishing
Apply thinned blonde or garnet shellac using a traditional cotton fad in steady figure-eight strokes.
Need a piece of timber furniture fixed?
Send us two clear photos of the damage along with your postcode. We will call you back within 4 business hours with an honest assessment and starting price.