About Green and Cockburn Antique Restoration

We at Green and Cockburn Antique Restoration are experts in the restoration of extremely damaged, fine antique longcase clocks and furniture. We specialise in undertaking fine restoration work for the antique art and Museum professions.

We are based in Hertfordshire, with another office in Suffolk, and are open by appointment only.Please phone (01462) 790646 Or (01986 765198) prior to calling to our premises.

Myles Green is now in charge of Green Restoration. Malcolm is taking more of a backseat role whilst concentrating on the valuation of antiques and fine art with his sister business at www.antiques-valuations.co.uk.

Malcolm Green of Green and Cockburn Antique Restoration and his restoration team, have been restoring and valuing antiques for over 45 years, specialising in 17th and 18th century fine antique longcase clocks and furniture and works of art. View his LinkedIn profile here.

Originally based at Weston Barns in Hertfordshire, Weston is a small village in North Hertfordshire where we have been 45 years.

We now have an additional office in Metfield, North Suffolk, serving clients from across East Anglia while retaining our presence in Hertfordshire.

We are proud to have restored some very fine antique clocks and furniture over the years. Some of these items come to us in extraordinarily damaged condition. Antique clock restoration has been our mainstay for 45 years. We specialise in restoring antique long case clocks back to their original condition using original parts and processes materials glues etc. All work on these items requiring restoration is undertaken on our premises. We do not outsource anything.

Our skills include antique clock movement restoration, cutting of movement parts, case restoration using original materials, veneers, and brass fittings. All woodworking processes using techniques of the period of manufacturer. We have become renowned for undertaking Dutch marquetry restoration on clocks and furniture receiving work from clients all over the world. Water and oil gilding restoration. Ivory bone and stone carving in miniature porcelain restoration. Valuation of antiques and fine art across the whole spectrum undertaken for fire flood and insurance replacement.

We have worked on items such as clocks bequeathed by Lincoln and Eisenhower to the American embassy at Winfield house, major works of art such as the restoration of a Degas, working for many heads of state restoring art and antiques in embassies and stately homes.

A Television Opportunity

Our restoration work has been broad and varied, and we are always receiving pieces with intriguing stories to tell. Here is one fascinating example involving a longcase clock which may have connections to Thomas Gainsborough.

What can be more exciting than to receive a once forgotten antique which has now been lovingly restored for your home? Our restoration work helps to conserve our domestic heritage for future generations, and it's becoming a fine way to recycle too!

Please contact us at enquiries@greenrestoration.co.uk

We have undertaken the restoration of fine antique clocks and furniture, as well as works of art for museums, stately homes and private collections.

The skills we apply to our work include full horological and furniture restoration knowledge. As well as our experience in fine art restoration (both water and oil), gilding restoration and carving. We use original materials, tools and techniques contemporary to the period of the piece under restoration.

All restoration projects such as clock movement and case repair, dial restoration, gilding restoration, etc, are undertaken in our workshops as we do not outsource our work.

Malcolm has been an adviser, consultant and presenter for the BBC and for multiple antique restoration programmes. He is currently the resident clock expert on the BBC's Restoration Road show.

Antique Clock Restoration

In our antiques clock restoration department, we restore clock movements and cases using the same historical process as when they were made, with the occasional help of modern machine tools.

Antiques Valuation and Consultation

Malcolm has been valuing antiques for many years. He has undertaken work for insurance companies and insurance assessors, for probate and inheritance tax purposes. He has valued antiques for auction houses and for the BBC as a presenter, consultant and antique restorer. He has appeared on the Restoration Roadshow as a resident clock expert.
Malcolm now runs a valuation business at antiques-valuations.co.uk

Malcolm has comprehensive knowledge of antique clocks and furniture, oil and water paintings, and fine works of art.

On the left, is an example of a dial before restoration. On the right is after restoration. We are also able to undertake the restoration of turtle shell and ivory. The figure has had missing parts replaced.

Antique Furniture Restoration

In our antique furniture restoration department, we accept all traditional restoration work such as French polishing and specialist Dutch marquetry restoration on clock cases. We are also able to restore traditional hair upholstery, and we are renowned for our invisible timber repairs, using only original timber on all restoration projects.

An example of a typical project that we have worked on can be seen in the photograph below. A fine William and Mary period Dutch marquetry Bombay commode bookcase.

We excel in our restoration of gilded mirrors and picture frames (including all necessary gilding and carving). All materials used are authentic. This includes gesso clay, animal glue and rabbit skin for gilding restoration.

We are specialist gilders and carvers, and we have worked on some of the most interesting and fine gilded frames in the country. These include frames by Chippendale and Grinling Gibbons who were famous for their furniture manufacturing and carving skills.

Below you can see a typical gilding restoration project

Invisible Repairs

We pride ourselves in what we call invisible repairs. If we have repaired a table, chair or a clock case, you should not be able to distinguish where the repair has been carried out. This is work that can only be carried out by skilled French polishers. Don't just take our word for it, look at some of our recent restoration projects.

Green and Cockburn Antique Restoration have been successfully trading for over 45 years

Even our sign is old! - please use the new number 01462 790646 to contact us.

As a family run business, our combined experience has led to our services becoming sought-after in the world of art and antiques.

For 40 years we have been based on the Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire border and since March 2021 we are now based on the Suffolk Norfolk border, but we are of course are still keeping ties to the Hertfordshire area where we still hold office and workshops space and are willing to travel to: Hertfordshire (Herts), Bedfordshire (Beds), Cambridgeshire (Cambs), Buckinghamshire (Bucks) and Essex and of course Suffolk.

Church Restoration and Period Interiors

A great deal of the work that we do is large scale restoration projects of period interiors, furniture, and turret clocks in Churches and Cathedrals. We regularly undertake the restoration of period timber in relation to woodworm treatment, solidification of rotting timber, and carving. We use our knowledge of historical techniques to maintain the period style and design of each unique project. The restoration of broken rood screens may require carved tracery for example, or the restoration of rood screen paintwork.

We are also skilled in the restoration of stonework and in the restoration and maintenance of church turret clocks. We are able to restore any missing parts necessary.

We are willing to collect Antique clocks or furniture from your area including North London, Barnet and Finchley

Please contact us for a free appraisal of your restoration work.

Can we help you with your antique restoration problem? Need help or advice? Based in Hertfordshire or Cambridgeshire? Contact Green and Cockburn…
Tel : 01462 790646 or E-mail :enquiries@greenrestoration.co.uk