Expert restoration and conservation furniture, wooden objects and Maori carvings for over 25 years as well as one-off designs and commissions.  More recently I have also moved into building and interior conservation.

 

The aim is always to preserve as much of the age and character of every item and use traditional methods and techniques as much as possible. Good restoration and conservation requires an understanding of the materials and techniques with which the piece was made.

 

Despite working for some of New Zealand’s most prominent institutions and collectors some my favourite pieces to work on are ordinary family heirlooms that have great sentimental meaning to the owners. 

 

I am based in Auckland but serve clients all over the country.

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Clients include:

Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Government institutions

Auckland’s leading auctions houses

Collectors

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Testimonials

"Jonathan always embraces difficult jobs, nothing is a problem, be it fit out,  joinery fabrication or installation. He is great to collaborate with.” 

Rick Pearson Architect, Museum and exhibition designer.

 

 

“We hold an extensive and important collection of early New Zealand furniture and it is essential to us that any work done on the individual pieces is done sensitively and with the minimum level of input, to retain as much originality as possible, to preserve the integrity of the piece.  We implicitly trust Jonathan's judgement and skill to ensure that only the required level of work is undertaken, while also going the extra mile to ensure an excellent outcome.”

Peter and Sally Herbert

 

"I have known Jonathan for 30 years and the quality, and variety, of work that he undertakes is truly astonishing. He is superbly talented, and vastly experienced, with a huge repertoire of skills.

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Perhaps his most important asset is his intelligent approach to problem solving, and the evident enthusiasm that he brings to his occupation; simply a non-pareil craftsman."

William Cottrell author of

Furniture of the New Zealand Colonial Era an illustrated history 1830-1900

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