Michael Czajkowski ACR

09 Jun 2025

Trained initially at Rycotewood College, Oxford I undertook a traditional apprenticeship organised by the Rural Industries Bureau, a government body.

I then worked in London at Mallets at Borden House as a conservator. I then studded elements of Clock restoration and metal work conservation. I joined the family firm of Edmund Czajkowski & Son Ltd, in 1970 where I am now the sole partner. In the firm we conserve Furniture Clocks and Barometers. I have experience with working on a verity of English and European furniture and also far Eastern and Middle Eastern furniture. Conservation work on clocks and barometers is mainly on British and European items.

Please see our web page at https://www.czajkowski-furniture.co.uk/.

Training

1966 - July 1967

Rycotewood College Oxford Course on Design and Furniture making City of Guilds examination

August 1967 - September 1972

Five year apprenticeship under the auspices of CoSIRA and Rural Industries Bureau. in Furniture makings and restoration.

1973 - August 1974

Training at Malletts of Bourdon House London. Improver furniture restoration and conservation. Introduction to clock restoration.

Black Forest Organ Clock Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery

Conservation of case and movement. Including treatment, replacing broken glass in hood and trunk door. Repairs to door frames, replacing small mouldings, stabilising splits. Finishing with conservation grade wax polish.

Black Forest Organ Clock Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery

Clock movement dismantled cleaned, wooden framework treated and escapement adjusted. New gut lines fitted and the movement tested.. Barrel organ mechanism cleaned and overhauled with new gut line. The musical pipe work conserved by F. W. Burns and Son. Black Forest movement unsigned c. 1860-70 in a North German / Belgium oak case c. 1860-70. The was probably transported down the River Rhine prior to installation in the present case.

Unusual Double Mainspring Musical Box

The movement was removed from the case and dismantled and cleaned. The governor was dismantled and cleaned, the staff tips re-polished and a new jewel fitted. The springs were inspected and cleaned and re-lubricated.

Unusual Double Mainspring Musical Box

The cast iron base which had lost muck of its original gold finish was re- coloured to comply with the client’s wishes. The pins on the barrel were checked and found to be in good order, the box having been rarely used. The movement was assembled and tested. The case was cleaned slightly preserving the original finish. and finished with wax polish.. The base was treated for worm infestation.

Conservation of a Daniel Quare Bracket Clock

In 1671 Daniel Quare was admitted to the prestigious Clockmaker’s Company. He is especially known for making an impressive longcase clock (the correct name for a “grandfather clock”) for King William III’s bedroom at Hampton Court, where it still stands. He made a large number of both Longcase and spring driven bracket clocks. The first thing was to remove the movement and dismantle it. The springs housed on two brass barrels were removed and cleaned. The rest of the movement was also cleaned.

Conservation of a Daniel Quare Bracket Clock

The springs were not replaced since although slightly fatigued they were still fairly good and at this time springs were made by hand and the elasticity of each spring specially made for that particular clock. This was to ensure that the time keeping was a good as possible. New special gut lines were made, of the correct thickness and weight. The movement was then assembled.

Conservation of a Daniel Quare Bracket Clock

The crown wheel teeth were worn and two had to be re-profiled. This meant the escape pallets had to be re-depthed. The movement dial and hands were then re-fitted and the whole re-assembled into the case.

Client Testimonials

Dismantle to remove lock system. Minor repairs to carcase. Overhaul lock system and free spring used to release drawers. Fit master key to lock.

Mr Steve Wallace
Client

Oak Side Table;

Remove top where broken. Splice out damage and refit top. Repairs to drawers and drawer runner. Replace missing cock beading.

Mahogany Tea Table.

Restore damage around broken top hinge housings. Dismantle frame and glue and stabilise legs with reversible gelatine glue. Reface loose hinge joints and fit new hinge rod.

Mrs T Martin
Client

Repair movement seat board. Part dismantle and adjust escapement after damage caused in transit.

Mr Henry King
Client

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