Clientele
I have worked with Lawrence and his team for over 25 years on many important, historically significant projects for private collectors and museums. His knowledge and ability in conservation, restoration and reproduction are of the highest quality. It is always a pleasure to work with him and his associates.
--Robert T. Trump, Antiquarian (Ret.), Ambler, PA & Newport, RI
I've been recommending Bodine Conservations for over 25 years and in all honesty, as a dealer there is no one else I would trust with my museum quality antiques, and for all of my own personal pieces as well. I will con-
tinue to recommend Lawrence to all of my clients and customers. He is the finest conservator I know…the best.
--Mark McCarty (Gallery of Fine Arts & Antiques), Chestnut Hill, PA
Air-drying walnut for future projects. Lawrence’s in-depth knowledge and experience with period furniture is virtually unparalleled regionally. He is a true conser-
vation professional, educating clients while focusing on the preservation of original material and utilizing minimally invasive solutions wherever possible. Still, he under-
stands that furniture in a private home is to be used and never counsels that a chair is not for sitting nor a table for holding a glass. He’s a boon to clients who want to live with their collections.
Conservation is art plus science, requiring both the knowledge and experience necessary to formulate period-appropriate solutions to the problems of age and wear and the ability to understand how each finished project should look and feel. This last is a rare thing, and often our clients, museum professionals, and Lawrence’s peers have commented on that quality in his work. He understands what an 18th century oak tabletop should look like and
has the knowledge and sensitivity to bring those qualities forth.
--John Levitties, JAGR Projects, Philadelphia, PA
Following a devastating fire in my New York apartment, Lawrence removed and repaired all of my finest antiques, decorative arts and paintings. I trusted him with everything and was amazed when he restored and re-
installed all of it to its original beauty. Over the years he has also custom designed original pieces for my nieces and nephews. I recommend him to anyone seeking the best quality, the finest service and masterful patience and skill.
--Elizabeth Dilworth, New York, NY & Middleburg, VA
We’ve given Lawrence a number of furniture and antique restoration projects and have always been pleased with the results. Bodine Conser-
vations also performed a museum quality restoration on an antique music stand that had been heavily damaged in transit from Europe. We can always depend on Lawrence for a thoughtful, structurally correct, historically sensitive restoration or modification of whatever piece of furniture we ask him to restore. His eye for patinas and skill at
matching aged materials is superb.
--George Woodward, Philadelphia, PA
Over the years Lawrence Bodine has been instrumental in restoring several of our antiques. His work is beautiful. I enthusiastically
recommend him.
--Carole Haas Gravagno, Wayne, PA
Our English Mahogany 18th Century Chippendale Chest had long collected dust and was in such disrepair that we did not know what we even had until Lawrence took a look and surprised us. Challenged with bringing it back to life, he certainly did, to our absolute disbelief. His work wasn't about making it look new, it was about making it look like it has been loved and taken care of continuously for the last 300 years. It resides in our 300-year-old home, an exceptional piece with a French Polish finish.
On another note, through my business Old Village Master Painters, Lawrence and his expertise have helped me on numerous high-end painting projects – from refinishing beautiful mahogany French entry doors to addressing an old dining room floor where the homeowner wanted to maintain the color and “beautiful aged patina” of her 200-year-old wood without refinishing.
--Ed & Laurie Stulb, Gwynedd Valley, PA
Lawrence is a true conservator. He brings to each piece tremendous knowledge, applied judiciously in order to conserve – not re-invent –
the original. Only where absolutely necessary will he replace what is irretrievably missing, and he does so in a scholarly, respectful and thoughtful manner.
Collaborating on a particularly tricky and important piece was a pleasure. He put considerable time into an excruciatingly careful condition report, taking into account the various contingencies he might encounter, and gave a clear estimate of what the work would cost. At no point did I feel compelled to argue with him about the need to do things correctly. The end result was reassuringly "original," both in construction and appearance.
--JSH, Tuxedo Park, NY
Lawrence restored a three-pedestal dining table for us ten years ago.
It had a dull finish, with many stains from water and wine. He gave it a wonderful polished finish, replaced veneer on the edge, and polished brass feet that had been a dark brown. Then when we inherited an Italian inlaid small cabinet, a Pennsylvania walnut chest of drawers, and a Federal serpentine front lift top card table, Lawrence brought them back to life with great care. We feel completely comfortable entrusting our furniture to Bodine Conservations. There is no more careful craftsman we know of for antique restoration.
--Wendy & Walter Foulke, Wyndmoor, PA
We inherited a Queen Anne gilt gesso and walnut veneer mirror from my mother-in-law. The veneer was cracked, parts of the asymmetrical floral gesso decoration were missing, and someone, not she, had covered the gilding with radiator paint. Its main attraction was its ravishingly beautiful, very old glass. Lawrence and team replaced the missing veneer, cleaned the surface, removed the paint to reveal gilding underneath, carved gesso pieces to infill voids and gilded them to imitate the original style. The result is breathtaking as the piece's stately old age lights up the entire room where it hangs.
--Mike Cone, Philadelphia, PA
Lawrence Bodine is a highly regarded furniture conservator whom I have recommended to furniture owners and collectors with great confidence for over 30 years.
--Paul Ingersoll, Christies, Bryn Mawr, PA