Tortoiseshell Restoration
Tortoiseshell tea caddies, card cases, jewelry boxes, trinket boxes, snuff boxes, photo frames and trays comprise a large proportion of our work. From the 18th to the early 20th centuries, an endless range of decorative items were made from or veneered with this beautiful material, often combined with silver to brilliant effect.
Bad handling, dirt, climate, sunlight or just pure age affects the tortoiseshell which after time requires varying levels of restoration or repair, as shown in the following photographs.
For a guide to tea caddy restoration costs please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Octagonal Green Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy Before and After Restoration
The following was the restoration and repair carried out on this tea caddy: the loose shell re-laid, ivory and pewter lines replaced where missing, tortoiseshell filled or patched where required, the bloom expertly removed from the shell, and then finally sanded and polished.
Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Cushioned Lid
We have chosen to show you this unusual and highly decorative tea caddy as it shows many of the faults we encounter in our restoration work. The following four before and after photographs of the front and back of the caddy illustrate the transformation achieved.
You will notice on the back of the caddy a common problem; damage around the hinge areas. Whatever the cause, the result was a tortoiseshell panel broken beyond repair, with a badly cracked wooden carcass beneath, with resultant damage to the ivory lips inside the box.
Oval Ten Sided Blonde Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
The next two before and after photographs have been chosen to illustrate a strange phenomenan - pewter lines that grow over time! They have popped out of their slots, and some have been lost completely.
Where the existing pewter is in good enough condition, it is removed from the caddy, cut to length and re-inserted, otherwise it is replaced with new pewter lines.
Pressed Tortoiseshell Jewelry Box
This extremely pretty tortoiseshell jewelry box with a pressed shell lid, on silver plated ball and claw feet had several problems, as can be seen in the next four before and after photos.
Note the lid didn't close well at the front due to warpage of the carcass, and damage to the lock - probably caused by someone trying to open it without the key!
Common Wear and Tear Problems in Tortoiseshell Items
Card Case HingesThe hinge area of card cases in tortoiseshell and other materials is one that we are often asked to repair. Constant and/or careless opening of the lid breaks the carcass and the shell. The photograph below shows a typical example just received for restoration.
Hinges and CornersHinges and corners are always problem areas particularly on tea caddies. Knocks and bangs to the corners caused by bad handling damage the tortoiseshell very easily.
Damage around the hinges can be caused by over-opening of the caddy, and consequent straining of the hinges. It can also be caused by forcing the caddy open when the lock has jammed. This can crack the carcass, the internal ivory lips and the outer tortoiseshell panels.
Blooming'Blooming' is a term used to describe the dull, opaque, often milky appearance to the surface on antique tortoiseshell. Its usual cause is the item having spent extended periods of time in bright sunlight and/or heat.
Bloomed shell will never polish to a high shine. This dry crusty layer has to be expertly removed before we begin to bring back the original polished lustre to the shell. When bloom is removed the tortoise shell will often appear several shades lighter and brighter.
This photograph shows bloomed shell and 'popping' pewter.
Interior DamageDamage to or missing areas of the ivory on the lips of caddies, boxes and card cases is a common problem associated with the restoration of tortoiseshell items. The photo below shows a typical example.
Painted Imitation TortoiseshellWe often see recent 'bad' restoration. The photo below shows the plinth area above the feet of a tea caddy. It has been badly damaged in the past, and has been filled and painted to imitate tortoiseshell. An unwanted problem and something to look out for when buying tortoiseshell items.
Chips in TortoiseshellSmall chips to tortoiseshell are not a problem to restore. Modern fillers are used which when polished shine to the same level as tortoiseshell.
A Guide to Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy Restoration Costs
Each caddy presents its own particular set of problems, a selection of which you will have seen from the photographs above.
We are often asked if a damaged corner or panel cannot be patched up, without the whole caddy being cleaned and polished. We like to use the analogy of repairs to various parts of the bodywork of an old car, where the paintwork has deteriorated over time. The new repairs will always show on the car unless the car is re-sprayed. We do not re-spray, but the analogy holds true.
Our work is of the highest standard, the majority of which is done by hand. This is of necessity time consuming, and from our extensive experience of such work, the general refurbishment of a caddy, dependent upon the amount of remedial work needed, will start in the range of £400 - £600 plus VAT. Badly damaged caddies can cost a great deal more to restore
