Restoration
With respect for the fascinating pieces
In the 1930s, Gabriel Bejvl, the father of Jaroslav Bejvl Sr., began his career in artistic carving and the restoration of wooden artifacts. His work was followed by Jaroslav Bejvl Jr., who has been restoring light fixtures since the mid-1990s.
In his work he cooperates with professional institutions, such as the National Institute of Monuments, the Museum of Applied Arts in Prague and a number of other museums and institutions. He publishes his experience in professional media outlets, and he is the author of study materials devoted to the history of lighting production in Bohemia and Moravia.
Licence
Restoration of works in the field of fine arts
Works kept in museum and gallery collections, or objects of cultural value.
Expertise
Unique expertise
The oldest lighting object I restored was from the third quarter of the 18th century, but lately we mainly restore lighting objects from the 1960s and 70s. For example, we are currently working on rescuing light fixtures for the InterContinental Hotel in Prague from the late 1960s. There we are restoring 24 light fixtures created by René Roubíček and 19 light sculptures by Hugo Demartini.
Jaroslav Bejvl has completed dozens of professional renovations of lighting fixtures and is considered a unique expert in this field. The results of his work are appreciated by leading experts and historians for their sensitive solutions and his expert knowledge of the subject.
Catalogue text
Just as every light eventually goes out, glass lighting fixtures are not eternal either.
After a while, they need to be restored, and this requires a wide range of artistic and craft skills. Otherwise, they will go blind or, if the work is not done properly, they will lose what makes them unique.
Jaroslav Bejvl Jr. is a master who can restore historical lighting fixtures to their former glory. He approaches the restoration of Baroque chandeliers and lighting installations from the second half of the 20th century with equal doses of responsibility and empathy. One of his great strengths is the exceptional experience he has gained through many years of practice, which enables him to identify and implement the best solutions.
High-quality, in-depth research is important, and patience and prudence are essential, as a single wrong decision can prove fatal to a project’s success. Jaroslav Bejvl Jr. approaches the restoration of lighting fixtures with the utmost respect for their creators; he does not compete with them, but rather serves them. As a designer, he is well aware of just how much ingenuity, energy and skill went into the creation of each piece.
Petr NovýChief curator of the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou
Selected restorations
