G&P Cohn was commissioned to carefully remove a cherished family chandelier from a private apartment in Knightsbridge before the property changed ownership. The client's parents were moving out of the apartment and wished for the chandelier to remain within the family by installing it in their daughter's home in North Kensington. The project involved documenting the chandelier in its original position, dismantling it safely, transporting it to our workshop for cleaning, and reinstalling it in its new home.
The Piece
An elegant antique crystal fitting that had remained in the family home for many years. As a piece with sentimental as well as decorative value, careful handling throughout the move was essential. Before any work commenced, detailed reference photographs were taken to record the arrangement of every crystal drop and decorative component, ensuring accurate reconstruction after transport.
Work Carried Out
- Photographed the chandelier in detail before dismantling
- Recorded the position of decorative components for accurate reassembly
- Carefully dismantled the chandelier into manageable sections
- Protected and packed all components for transport
- Transported the chandelier safely from Knightsbridge to North Kensington
- Thoroughly cleaned the chandelier before reinstallation
- Reassembled the chandelier using the original reference photographs
- Hung and levelled the chandelier in its new location
- Reattached and dressed every crystal by hand
- Carried out final testing and inspection
Approach
Every chandelier develops its own arrangement of crystal drops and decorative components over many years. By photographing every detail before dismantling, we ensured that the chandelier could be reconstructed exactly as it had appeared in its original home. The relocation was carried out with particular care, recognising that the chandelier represented both a valuable antique and an important family possession being passed from one generation to the next.
Outcome
The chandelier was successfully relocated to its new home in North Kensington, where it continues to be enjoyed by the next generation of the same family. Following careful cleaning and reassembly, the chandelier regained its brilliance while preserving its original character and family history. Comparable removal and reinstatement projects include the Dutch chandelier installation in South West London, the Albert tiered pair passed from mother to son and the careful removal of an antique chandelier in Barnes.
