The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

The lady’s head has been discreetly restuck at the neck (this is difficult to see), and there is a minute associated restored area to his nose which touches her head. At the centre of the front edge of the base there is a fine crack which goes under the table – the crack is flanked by two small, filled holes suggesting that this crack was once stapled to secure it. The same is the case at the back of the group (the crack also runs through the lady’s dress / legs) – yet the group does not appear to have been broken across, and the table appears to be intact and all original. His left index and little finger have been restored, and one of the tightening knobs on the lute have been restored, but these are minor. There is some slight chipping to some of the foliage, some of which has been discreetly restored, and some which have been re-touched – this is also minor.

An XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) test was carried out by The Centre for Archaeological and Forensic Analysis at Cranfield University, confirming that the enamels are consistent with 18th century recipes.