BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY

These examples show how heirlooms, decorative art, and religious objects can be cleaned, stabilized, and refinished while respecting original design and inscription.​
Before-and-after view of the same tall two-handled Philadelphia Challenge Cup gold rowing trophy, left with darker, worn surface and right after restoration with brighter, more uniform polish and clearly legible engraved names.
Philadelphia Challenge Cup gold trophy — surfaces cleaned and polished, engraving clarified, finish restored.
Before-and-after view of the same sterling silver Kiddush wine fountain with eight small cups, left dark and heavily tarnished, right after restoration with bright polished silver surfaces and newly gilded cup interiors highlighting the grape-and-vine decoration.
Sterling Kiddush wine fountain — tarnish removed, surfaces polished, cup interiors re-gilded, finish clarified.
Before-and-after view of an ornate silver communion chalice with matching scale paten, left shown dark and heavily tarnished, right after restoration with bright polished silver surfaces, a clean gold-washed cup interior, and clarified decorative detail.
Silver communion chalice and paten — tarnish removed, surfaces polished, gold-wash interior cleaned, finish clarified.
Five-piece brass church altar set with tall IHS cross, matching columnar candlesticks, and vases on stepped bases, shown after thorough polishing and protective lacquering with bright reflective surfaces.
Brass altar cross with candlesticks and vases — tarnish removed, surfaces polished, lacquer applied, finish clarified.
Before-and-after view of the same modern sterling silver Hanukkah menorah, top image dull and heavily tarnished, bottom image after restoration with bright, even polish and crisp modern lines
Sterling silver Hanukkah menorah — tarnish removed, surfaces polished, finish restored
Before-and-after view of the same adjustable seven-branch brass altar candelabra, top image darkened with tarnish and green corrosion, bottom image after restoration with bright polished brass arms and base and an even protective finish.
Brass seven-branch altar candelabra — corrosion reduced, brass polished, lacquer applied, finish restored.
Before-and-after view of the same lidded two-handled silver Andrew W. Mellon trophy on a wooden base, left image darkened with tarnish and chipped base finish, right image after restoration with bright polished silver, clear decorative detail, and a newly refinished dark base.
Andrew W. Mellon presentation trophy — silver cleaned and polished, wooden base refinished, finish restored.
Modern Bertoia-style wire sculpture with two tall fans of vertical rods flanking a shorter central cluster on a rectangular base, shown after conservation with straightened wires, cleaned base, and bright polished metal.
Bertoia wire sculpture — bent rods straightened, base cleaned, metal surfaces polished, structure stabilized.
Before-and-after view of the University of Pennsylvania ceremonial mace, top image with dull, worn gold-plated head and bottom image after restoration with bright re-gilded surface and clearly visible seals and coats of arms
University of Pennsylvania ceremonial mace — worn gilding removed, head re-gilded, surfaces polished, finish restored
Before and after of a Renaissance Revival andiron with bright regilded figure and cleaned dark bronze base.
Renaissance Revival andiron — gilt figure regilded, dark bronze base cleaned and patina clarified.
Before-and-after composite of a slender two-handled silver-plated sailing trophy cup on a stacked circular wooden base. In the first view the cup and separate tiered base appear dark and heavily tarnished, with the “Trub Trophy” inscription and engraved winner bands difficult to read; in the second view the cup is bright and reflective, securely mounted on the cleaned base, with the silver bands and engraved names clearly legible.
Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club “Trub Trophy” — heavy tarnish reduced, engraved bands polished, cup and tiered base reassembled as a single coherent trophy.
Restored gilt bronze bust of a crowned woman in elaborate jewelry and lace shawl, mounted on a dark green marble and stepped gilt base with an even, bright gold finish.
Gilt bronze bust on marble base — gilding cleaned and renewed, surfaces polished, detail preserved.
Before-and-after view of the same John Kelly rowing trophy, right image dark and heavily tarnished, left image after restoration with bright polished silver surface, sharp handles, and readable inscription on a black base.
John Kelly trophy — tarnish reduced, silver polished, engraving made legible, finish restored.
Before-and-after view of an antique sterling golf trophy bottle stopper engraved “Wool Club Golf Tournament,” left dark and heavily tarnished with obscured text, right after restoration with bright polished silver and clearly legible engraving.
Sterling golf trophy bottle stopper — heavy tarnish removed, engraving cleaned, surfaces polished, finish restored.
Picture
Monstrance — gold finish renewed, enamel panels cleaned, detail clarified for continued use.
Before-and-after composite of a floral still-life oil painting in an ornate Baroque-style gilded frame. In the first view the carved frame appears dark, dull, and patchy, with obscured scrollwork and chipped ornament; in the second view the same frame is bright and evenly gilded, missing details rebuilt and newly leafed and toned so the rich gold surround clearly defines the bouquet against its dark background.
Floral still-life oil painting — Baroque-style gilded frame cleaned, ornament losses rebuilt, new gold leaf applied and subtly toned.
Before and after of framed religious relief plaque with restored dark frame, bright gilded mounts, and cleaned carving.
Religious relief plaque — ebonized and gilt frame cleaned, mounts brightened, plaque surface clarified.
Before-and-after view of a nautical-themed gilt bronze desk set on an oval marble base, with sailor figure, anchor, rope, and bundled cargo, left image dull with worn gilding, right image after restoration with bright gold surfaces and crisp dark patinated accents.
Nautical gilt bronze desk set on marble base — gilding cleaned and renewed, patinated details refreshed, finish restored.

FAQ

WHAT TYPES OF HEIRLOOMS AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS DO YOU RESTORE?
Chelsea Plating Company restores metal and mixed-material objects such as trophies, cups, desk sets, clock garnitures, frames, small sculpture, maritime pieces, and other presentation and commemorative objects.

CAN YOU RESTORE BOTH THE ARTWORK AND THE FRAME?
The studio focuses on frames, mounts, and metalwork surrounding artworks, including gilded and partially gilt frames. When a painting or work on paper needs more than light surface dusting, we recommend working with a specialist conservator and can coordinate schedules when helpful.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH RELIGIOUS AND LITURGICAL OBJECTS?
Religious pieces are treated with particular care for iconography, inscriptions, and community use. Structure is stabilized, surfaces are clarified, and gold or silver finishes are renewed where appropriate, with work documented for parish, synagogue, and institutional records.

HOW ARE MIXED-MATERIAL OBJECTS HANDLED?
Many heirlooms combine metals with stone, wood, glass, or porcelain. Each material is assessed separately, and treatments are chosen so that one component’s repair does not stress another. When an element is beyond repair, options for sympathetic replacement or discreet replication are discussed before work proceeds.
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HOW DO I START A PROJECT OR SHIP A PIECE TO YOU?
Begin by sending clear photos and basic dimensions through the estimate form. After a preliminary review, we provide guidance on packing and shipping for that object, and we arrange return shipping from the Philadelphia studio once work is complete.
​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

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