Cornell Sigma Phi Lighting Restoration Completed
New Haven, CT – Grand Light has completed restoration of the seventeen historic light fixtures from Cornell University’s Sigma Phi Fraternity. Using a variety of techniques and treatments, the fixtures were restored to their original glory and updated to current UL Specifications.
Small outdoor wall fixtures from the front of the Sigma Phi Fraternity house.
Restoration on these outdoor fixtures began by stripping the black paint from the frames. These fixtures needed to be completely reconstructed. Once they were reconstructed, they received a primer and base coat, and were finished by a uv resistant lacquer top coat. New glass was added to the frames. The picture above shows the original pre-restoration on the left and the restored fixture on the right for comparison.
There are four wall sconces, three of which have a mica shade.
Restoration of the four wall sconces with mica shades began with stripping the base metal. Once it was stripped, they too did receive the primer, base and lacquer top coats. One of the sconces was missing a shade and 2 other shades were crumbling. We were able to match the mica and form it to match the existing. All shades then received a topcoat which acts like a bonding agent to the mica material which will help to prolong the life of those existing shades. The picture above shows the original on the left, and the restored fixture on the right.
There are two pewter wall sconces.
Restoration of the two pewter and brass wall sconces began by disassembling the fixture to clean and conserve the existing finish on the pewter and brass components.Once these components were cleaned, they received a museum grade wax to add a nice sheen. On the left you can see the pre-restoration state, on the right is the fixture fully restored.
There are four hand-painted indoor wall sconces.
Restoration of the four hand-painted wall sconces began disassembling the fixtures and bead blasting them to remove the existing finish. They then receive the primer and base coat, and an addition coat of gold has hand painted on the fixtures. Once the gold was applied it was burnished back to revel the underlying base coat and give the sconces an antique look. The result is beautiful and reflects the original craftsmanship that went into the fixture. On the left you can see the original finish, on the right is our finished restoration.
Silver and pewter chandeliers.
Restoration of the two pewter and brass chandeliers began by disassembling the fixtures to clean and conserve the existing finish on the pewter and brass components. Unlike the wall sconces type6A and 6B, the brass components had significant signs of finish failure and need much more work than a typical cleaning. Several areas had to be re-patina to give some consistency to the fixture. They hang in the same area and 6A and 6B so consistency was necessary in achieving the final goal matching. Sometime during the course of these chandeliers lives, the bottom finial, ball, and supporting components had been removed and discarded. Based off of original photographs, we were able to recreate what had once been there and matching the existing pewter components almost identically. On the left you can see the chandelier pre-restoration and on the right the final restored fixture.
Located in the back of the building are two large outdoor wall lanterns.
Restoration of the two larger outdoor wall lanterns proceeded the same as the smaller wall lanterns 1A and 1B as listed above above, except for the additional restoration of a socket cover that was a part of the lantern when it was originally gas and not electric. You can see the original condition of the fixture on the left and the restored condition on the right.
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