For more than a century, W.J. Sanders has operated as one of Australia’s foremost goldsmith and silversmiths, maintaining an unbroken tradition of heritage silversmithing, restoration and conservation.
Our work is carried out entirely in‑house by specialist craftspeople trained in traditional techniques, supported by deep technical capability across gold and silver smithing, metal fabrication, and surface finishing.
We work with collectors, dealers, institutions and custodians of significant objects who require precision, authenticity and continuity of craft.
Specialised Restoration & Conservation Services
Traditional Metal Restoration: Repair and reconstruction of antique, sterling and silver‑plated wares, including dent removal, reshaping, structural correction and the rebuilding of damaged or missing sections using traditional silversmithing methods.
Surface Cleaning & Refinement: Removal of tarnish, wear and accumulated residues, with the recreation of original surface character—from period satin finishes to high‑polish mirror surfaces.
Patination & Ageing: Controlled toning and colour development to ensure restored areas harmonise with surrounding surfaces and remain faithful to the object’s era.
Silver & Gold Leaf Application: Hand‑applied leaf work for decorative, architectural and ornamental metal elements.
Custom Metal Spinning & Fabrication: Precision spinning and fabrication for the recreation of missing components, lids, mounts, vessels and complex forms.
Bronzing & Colour Matching: Accurate colour development for spelter, bronze and cast‑metal objects, ensuring visual continuity across restored and original surfaces.
Ceremonial & Institutional Restoration: Conservation and restoration of ceremonial swords, civic regalia, presentation pieces, honour boards and institutional artefacts.
Mixed‑Material Conservation: Sensitive treatment of objects combining metal, timber, glass, enamel and decorative elements.
Protective Finishes: Application of archival‑grade coatings to stabilise surfaces and minimise future deterioration.
Electroplating Services: High‑quality silver, gold, nickel and copper plating, performed in‑house with full control over preparation, thickness and finish.
Institutional and Collection-Focused Services
We provide specialist support for government, museum, ecclesiastical and educational collections, including condition reporting, conservation treatments, and long‑term preservation planning.
