One of the biggest restoration projects I have been asked to undertake  was the extremely complex task of first conserving and then restoring where possible an important collection of fine antique netsuke before they went on sale at Bonhams, London. The famous Katchen collection had tragically been badly abused by the previous owner, over 100 fine wooden netsuke seeped in oil for reasons not best understood leading directly to the almost complete destruction in many cases of much of their original patina. 

Such work, while deeply rewarding, can break ones heart and there were more than a few days spent laboriously cleaning away a thick layer of emulsified sticky gunk with tears falling from my eyes.  Maybe it was because of this intimacy that I fell particularly in love with one of my patients..  a wonderful reclining boar created by a carver called Masatami in the 19th century in Nagoya, Japan or maybe its because I'm turning into a grumpy old boar myself.. who knows? At the auction held a few weeks ago it seems she had charmed quite a few others too going to a dealer for a handsome £18K and then later sold again for a little more to a close friend of mine... which pleased me greatly because I'm now sure to get some more time with her again soon. 

Here are some pictures.. first in the horrid state in which she came to me and then after a lot of TLC.