22July2009

Completed Egyptian Pierced Brass Chandelier

Posted by admin under: Uncategorized.

Finished

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Nice neat wiring Manuel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Splices covered in fiberglass sheathing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Has anyone seen Manuel?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finishing touches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like we’ve transported to a Mosque

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exterior details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful interior shot

21July2009

Alabaster Restoration

Posted by admin under: Uncategorized.

Here is a new project that just came in……a really nice old alabaster dish measuring about 30″ in diameter. Over the years, the natural fissures in the stone can open up and become a structural problem.  The variation in the surface temperature of the alabaster due to the heat generated by the  light bulbs when they are on and then the drop in temperature when they are turned off can cause this to happen over a relatively short period of time. Of course, the number and the wattage of the light bulbs and ventilation will play a large factor as well. For the longevity of the stone and for general energy conservation, we recommend compact fluorescent for the lighting source.

The procedure we use to conserve / restore the alabaster is to first clean the stone really well. Once clean, it is much easier to see the extent and depths of the cracks. On this fixture both cracks run all the way through the stone for about half their overall length.  In order to give the 2 part alabaster epoxy more ‘bite’ the cracks must be carefully dug out while bracing the fixture so that the cracks don’t grow. Now comes the real artist touch; alabaster dust from a similar colored stone is added to the epoxyso that the filler looks as natural as possible. The first layer will need to set up for at least 8 hours. After that 2 second or even third layer will be added.

30″ alabaster dish with 2 deep cracks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close up of the cracks - parts of them go all the way through the stone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 All the materials that go into a repair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 First the stone is cleaned with a conservation grade cleaner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cracks are carefully dug out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 First layer of epoxy is applied

20July2009

A day in the life of a lighting restoration specialist……..

Posted by dawn under: Dawn.

       One of the best advantages to being in the business of restoring historic lighting fixtures is that no two projects are ever alike.Over the 25 odd years Aurora Lampworks has been in the business, one would think that we have seen just about every antique lighting fixture know to humankind.  Not so……there is hardly a week that goes by that we don’t come across something new and different from what we have seen before. Even though the lighting industry may be considered small, …….its deep. Think of all the materials historically used to create lighting fixtures; metal, wood, glass, paper, plaster, alabaster and resin. And many fixtures use a combination of these materials. Not to mention that those categories break down into so many sub groups. For instance, glass can be leaded, flat, tempered, slumped or bent, cast, or blown!  And what about all the various metals that lighting fixtures are made - you name it and there is some manufacturer or artisan that has created a fixture using that material or combination of materials.  And all the different ways to form metal have been employed as well. Lighting fixture components can be made by spinning, casting, blacksmithing, milling, chasing, and repoussee.  The combinations are endless and so interesting!

 

The following images are of fixtures currently in house:

 

Pierced  Brass Egyptian Chandelier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cast Bronze Lanterns with Custom Slump Glass Panels