Scot Stoneking - Restoration Artist

A long career of making it right.

 

For more than three decades, I've had the privilege and honor to have worked with many of the finest art and artifacts in the world.  Whether it was a priceless museum piece or the favorite field-find of a local farmer, my passion to make a damaged artifact whole again is the same. 

 

To restore or not to restore?

The art of restoration is about display value.  In most cases a damaged artifact or work of art should be restored to its original appearance, but there are of course, exceptions to consider.  Personal finds make the best candidates for restoration because the "value" is more personal than monetary.  People ask me all the time if restoration increases or decreases the value of an artifact.  My answer is, "that depends".  It depends on your intentions for the relic.  If you intend to sell it, you should consider letting the buyer decide if he wants it restored.  If you want it to look completed so you can enjoy it more and finally get it out of the sock drawer, then restoration is for you.  Opinions vary on the subject, but remember, all museums, and all the top artifact collectors in the world use restoration services regularly.

 

The decision is yours alone.  The value of a broken artifact will always be limited by the amount of the damage, but a restoration will make it more desirable if the restoration is museum quality.  - Scot Stoneking