We recently acquired a Chiparus and the marble base is showing signs of wear. Some of the edges are crumbling. How do we care for and repair the marble? Will the piece lose value if it is repaired?

-- Maria Shugars (mshugars@gisystems.net), August 02, 2000

Answers

Hello Maria,

Although I am an antique furniture restorer, I seem to have strayed into marble sculpture restoration courtesy of some of my clients. So far we have cleaned, re-polished and added a few fingers, but I have found it very difficult to get much guidance (further to my art school training), on the subject. Since your question was posted last August I assume you have a few answers by now, and if you have time I would be most grateful for any good leads you have discovered regarding marble restoration.

Of course, if you have any questions on furniture I would be delighted to help. We are about to become members of the British Antique Furniture Restoration Association - having survived the assessment!

Best wishes, Michael

-- Michael Goater (michaelgoater@primex.co.uk), April 26, 2003.

Please take a look at my site. I can repair or completely reproduce most any marble base.They are cut extremely precise and are very fine.I also do restoration and conservation work on fine bronze and zinc sculptures. Small ivory repairs and replacements are possible.

-- John Edward Ward (masterworks@masterworksstudios.com), December 28, 2004.