Laurence Mitchell was introduced to the wonderful world of antiques at a very early age, as his mother owned an antique shop in London’s famous Camden Passage Antique Market in Islington. Throughout his career, he has travelled widely in his quest for the best. At one time this used to take him to the US three times a week where he did business in some 44 different states. He has also regularly visited the Far East, Japan and Australia in search of the finest pieces. However, it is through his love of Meissen porcelain that he has become world-renowned. Acknowledged as a leading expert on this particular subject Laurence, after several years of extensive research, published his definitive book on Meissen in 2004. He is currently preparing a second edition, due for publication in autumn 2007.
Through his lifetime love affair with antiques, Laurence has not only developed the ability to identify, authenticate and value many items but also, because of the need to restore his stock, he grew to understand the complex nature of their repair and restoration. In his 30 odd years in the antiques business, Laurence has always abided by the principle that he would rather lose a sale than fail to declare a piece was damaged or in need of restoration. This avowed business practice was one of the key drivers in Laurence’s creation of Trusted Restoration, specialising in the repair and restoration of antiques and collectibles. As an adjunct to this, Laurence has, for over 10 years, been involved in insurance and risk management and therefore includes within Trusted Restoration the services of a number of highly experienced loss assessors and loss adjustors.
