About Restoration Services

 

Restoration of Antiques, Fine Art, and Keepsakes

At Restoration Services, we take a conservational approach to restoration. This means repairing, strengthening and consolidating to make the object durable. It means understanding the medium—from porcelain to fine Japanese lacquer—and predicting the demands of usage and time. We use only the most light-stable pigments, resins (Paraloid B-72), and epoxies (HXTAL). Utilizing a range of artistic skills and the most up-to-date technology allows us to restore objects as close to the original appearance as a client wishes.

Please take a few moments to review the scope of our work and learn more about us and our services. While the photographs on this site are representative of the range of objects we restore, they cannot show the quality of a porcelain repair that stands up to the loupe of an expert, nor the satisfaction of a client who has seen a piece rescued from disaster. Please contact us to arrange for an estimate. We are located in the Boston area, but work with clients across the United States and around the world.

 

Meet the Team

 

Michael

Michael received a BFA from UMass Amherst with a focus on printmaking before working in production ceramics. In 2007, he began an apprenticeship position with our original owner, Nelson Dale. Michael took over ownership of Restoration Services in 2015 upon Nelson’s retirement. As our lead restorer, Michael is an expert at restoring a wide variety of materials from start to finish. Over the years he has helped develop novel techniques and applications of new conservational materials. Michael lives in Medford, MA, with his college sweetheart and their two kids.

Holly

Holly earned her BFA in ceramics from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and her MFA in ceramics from Arizona State University. She has experience teaching, creating public art and exhibiting her work. With a background in ceramics and painting, Holly is most drawn to restoring pottery and sculpture. She knows too well the feeling of the moment when a favorite pot breaks into pieces. For this reason she likes to think of her job as repairing the broken heart of ceramics, one pot at a time.

James

James earned his BFA at Berklee College of Music in Drum Set Performance with a specialty in Jazz. He can be found around all of New England playing with multiple groups in a wide range of musical styles. James, our Office Manager, makes sure our operation stays organized, runs smoothly, and posts updates about our new projects on social media. If you have any questions regarding a restoration project, James will be ready to help!

 

Distinguished References

Restoration Services is a member of the American Institute of Conservation and is referred by:

Restoration Services is also referred by the finest stores in the Boston area, including Shreve, Crump & LowBlanche P. Field, LLC and many others. We have worked on projects for the Peabody Essex MuseumThe Worcester Historical SocietyThe Paul Revere HouseThe Cyrus E. Dallin Museum and many other house museums.