Schuettinger Conservation Services, Inc. - Furniture Conservation and Restoration
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    • Bruce Schuettinger
    • Richard Farmer
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    • Finishes and Finish Preservation
    • Gilded Surface Treatments
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    • Loss Replacement
    • Metal Surface Treatments
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    • Baroque Period Jewel Encrusted Cabinet on Stand
    • Kennedy Center African Lounge Doors and Transom
    • Shaw and Archibald Chisholm Tall Case Clock
    • The Stephen Decatur House
    • Virginia Federal Period Writing Table
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Loss Replacement

A number of  treatments performed by Schuettinger Conservation Services, Inc., involve the replication of losses to original elements primarily due to poor previous repairs, cosmetic and stylistic changes, the ravages of time, and regular use. The loss replacement is based on a combination of historical and physical evidence.  The replicated element requires traditional craft technique utilizing materials of like kind and quality to the original or  the usage of  non-original modern technically advanced materials.

19th Century Neo-Grec Style Dining Chairs

In 2005 Schuettinger Conservation was hired to replicate missing crest rail components from a set of dining chairs originally from the Pennsylvania Avenue residence in Washington, DC of Alfred P. Mullet 1834 to 1890. Mr. Mullet was a supervising architect for the division of the Treasury Department responsible for designing government buildings after the Civil War. These chairs represent a very unusual interpretation for the Neo-Grec style in mid-19th century America.

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A historical photograph illustrating the chairs in the dining room of Mr. Mullet's home.
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During treatment of the crestrail loss replacement prior to finishing for visual integration.

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After detail the loss replacement involved the art of turning, carving, veneering, and ebonizing.

American Colonial Period Transitional Baroque/Rococo Style Philadelphia Mahogany High Chest 
   In 1999, we received an American Colonial Period transitional Baroque/Rococo Style Philadelphia mahogany high chest which descended in the current owner's original family. It was missing its original central carved cartouche, both of the carved rosettes, and portions of the turned and carved finials and finial blocks. The existing swan's neck molding was cut in half there by shortening the height of the overall object. With the assistance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a model for the carved cartouche was discovered (second image below) and loss was replicated by hand carving in the original species of wood (third image below). Additional treatments involving finish preservation, continued usage, and structural joint readhering was conducted.

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Schuettinger Conservation Services, Inc. - Furniture Restoration and Conservation
17 North Alley   -- P.O. Box 244 
New Market, MD 21774 -- 301-865-3009  --info@schuettinger.com