MPFC Home

Services

• Conservation Treatment
• Documentation
• Surveys + Assessments
• Collections Care
• Period + Exhibit Design
• Authentication + Appraisals
• Other Services

Portfolio of Case Studies

• Wooden Objects
• Painted (Polychrome) + Lacquer Objects
• Upholstered Objects
• Textiles + Quilts
• Modern Classics
• Imperial Monterey
• Mason Monterey
• McLoughlin House
• Hearst Castle

Articles + News

Site Map by Image

MPFC BLOG!

 

If you need Adobe Reader to read our PDF's Click Here

Modern Classics

We consider the items on this page modern classics. If treated properly, these pieces will one day be the next valuable antiques. We recommend proper care and treatment. They are a part of modern history, representatives indicative of a period and movement.

There are issues involved in treating items when the manufacturers may still be making models like the ones made when the design first was in production; to read further about our ideas on these issues, read our editorial on "The Modern Classics" in our Articles & News page.

Modern Brazil Wood Desk + Credenza

Our client's elderly father owned a collection of modern classics which had lived in the father's office. They were abraded, had numerous dings, ands were badly bleached by sun and caustic cleanings agents. The grain was open. Additionally, the father was now in a wheelchair and his daughter wanted the desk modified in a reversible manner to allow for his wheel chair to fit under it.
MODERN BRAZIL WOOD DESK &
MODERN BRAZIL WOOD CREDENZA

Before, above, and after treatment, below.

 

Two Wassily Chairs by Marcel Breuer

A modern family heirloom, these Wassily chairs have their original leather strapping. The strapping back, arms and seats needed to be repaired and reinforced, and the leather cleaned and protected; this allowed the original leather to remain intact, which allowed the piece to retain high value.

Before, left, and after treatment, right.

 

Crown Chair Ca. 1955

The chair was made in Los Angeles, California, by the father of our client, an upholsterer at the Crown Company. The original fabric was intact; MPFC salvaged some of it to make pillows for his son. CROWN UPHOLSTERY CHAIR RESUME

Before, above, and after treatment, below.

 

Lunstead Copper Table

A modern family heirloom, made by Harry Lunstead from Seattle Washington. Acid etched copper top 48-inch table. We properly conserved the top which
had several bad scratches. LUNSTEAD COPPER TABLE

Before, left, and after treatment, right.

 

Eames Lounge Chair + Ottoman

The Lounge Chair and Ottoman were designed in Los Angeles, California by Charles and Ray Eames, and manufactured by Herman Miller. These were bought by a university professor early in his life, and now after retirement, they wanted them conserved for their use and to give to their children. Our clients could not afford to conserve the original forms at this time, and so saved them and ordered new.
MPFC repaired the broken frame and conserved the finish.

 

Two Paulin Chairs

Two Paulin Chairs needed full conservation: Innards were failing, the upholstery was in poor condition, and the finish was badly gouged, paint applied, and the finish was missing altogether in places. We conserved the innards, and restored the piece to its original beauty. PAULIN CHAIRS RESUME
Before, left, and after treatment, right.

 

Egg Chair by Arne Jacobson

A modern family heirloom, this early Egg Chair was destroyed by an untrained upholsterer who drilled holes through the back and placed buttons to hold the thick polyester woven cream fabric in place. MPFC restored the piece to its original condition using conservation techniques, appropriate materials, and approved upholstery.
EGG CHAIR BY ARNE JACOBSON RESUME

 

Mid-Century Modern Sectional, CA 1951

When purchased is was a short, right facing sectional unit with a footstool. The clients were tall, and wanted to find a way to keep the integrity of the original piece without permanently ruining its line. Mitchell reutilized all stuffing, found an inspired show cover for the piece, and created a completely removable cotton batting topper to give the lift the client's needed without harming the frame. Spring loaded clips attached to the inside frame secures the pillow topper.

Before, left, and after treatment, right.