Restoration

We offer a full restoration, repair & renovation service
 for all kinds of old toys,
but especially Rocking Horses, Dollshouses & Teddies.
Scroll down for details.

If we are unable to mend a particular toy ourselves,
we can usually recommend an expert or specialist who can.

ROCKING  HORSE  RESTORATION

We always need to see the actual horse before we can advise or give an estimate of likely cost. Those in original condition should be preserved this way as much as possible with only minor cosmetic alterations. The most valuable rocking horses in the world are those which are pretty much as they left the factory many years ago.

However, family heirlooms that have seen the ravages of time can still be made to look as they once did & last a few more generations !  As fewer old horses are offered for sale, those that do reach auction often fetch higher prices as demand outstrips supply ! 

 
Restoration work in progress



Sometimes horses need complete restorations and new parts whilst others just need tidying up!

Here are a selection of Rocking Horses in original condition.
 Do you recognise yours ?

   
Jervis Collinson of Liverpool c. 1960s

 
Similar age made & painted by brother Leonard Collinson

Patterson Edwards 'Leeway' of London 1950s/60s

  
Fredk H Ayres of London 1890s in original paintwork


        
Wilsons of Leeds  1920s

             
Small G & J Lines 1901

Some of our Restorations

Small G & J Lines Rocking Horse with Coronation plates 1901



Larger G & J Lines circa 1910

Large "extra-carved" Edwardian horse by Wilsons of Leeds
with new stand

          

 Wilsons of Leeds Rocking Horse pre World War 1

  
Early 1930s Triang pushalong horse

CONTACT US
If you need a horse restored, valued, identified or want to sell one, please let us know.
Occasionally, we have old rocking horses available for sale, please enquire but be prepared to join the waiting list !!

Dr Elaine's Bear Clinic

Our teddy hospital is open for ailing teddies who have seen better days & old dolls that need re-stringing or minor repairs.
Reasonable rates and sympathetic restoration work.
  Estimates for repairs can only be given on sight of doll or teddy bear.
 

  "Dr Elaine" writes the monthly Clinic Pages for the UK's leading teddy bear magazine
 "Teddy Bear Club International".

This is the poor blind Farnell teddy as he was before being restored to good health and held by Elaine in picture above.

Plenty of examples of before and after pictures available for viewing in the casefile in the Teddy  Hospital.  

And for terminally ill teddies, we now make Teddy Memory Boxes.



This was once a white 12" Wendy Boston washable bear.
He is in a glass lidded silk lined padded box with pictures of his former life.

We can make suitable boxes for most teddies complete with souvenirs, photos and personal items enclosed.
ASK for DETAILS

DOLLS HOUSE RESTORATION

We specialise in restoring and renovating antique and vintage dolls houses, especially by Lines.
We have also made replicas in the past.

Working on a unusual circa 1920/30s estate made magpie house.

Restoring a rare circa 1919 Lines Bros dolls house.
One of the first few made in this company's early production years.

Copyright Tobilane Designs 2003                                 Page last updated 10 May 2003