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Sean
Clarke began his career at the age of 15 as a young apprentice
at Restall, Brown and Clenell (RBC), the renowned firm in London,
England. There, he was accepted into a three-year internship
as a French polisher. While learning from some of the finest
craftsmen in England at RBC, he also attended classes at the
London College of Furniture. For eight years, Clarke used |
the polishing
and restoration skills he had honed at RBC throughout London.
Most notably, he worked in and for such landmarks as Windsor
Castle, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Lloyds of London, The
BBC, and The Old Bailey. In addition, Clarke worked extensively
on the complete restoration of the Mill & Old Swan, a 14th
Century inn in Oxfordshire frequented by Richard III.
In 1992, Clarke moved to the U.S. He first worked as a restorer
in Ohio, and then moved to Southern California, working on such
projects as the restoration of The Jack Warner Estate. In 1999,
Clarke and his wife Angela started their own restoration and
refinishing business, Clarke Company, in Valencia.
French polishing is only one of many types of refinishing services
provided at Clarke Company. Approaching restoration from a conservative
standpoint in order to preserve the natural and original beauty
of the woodwork design, Clarke evaluates each piece individually.
After assessing its style and period, Clarke chooses the most
appropriate method of restoration.
"I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from
master craftsmen in London, who instilled in me a deep respect
for traditional workmanship. Many of the pieces brought to us
are valuable pieces of history, and I feel privileged to be
a part of ensuring their future." |
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Sean Clarke
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