B and H Art in Architecture, ltd.

Shijia Chen
Master Stone Carver

B and H (Brain and Hand) was  founded in 1990 by Shijia Chen.

B and H is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and restoration of New York City’s historical structures and landmarks. B and H is committed to restoring and preserving the artistry found in all cultures.

Having  a deep knowledge and experience with all architectural styles, our approach to each project is based on the original architect’s vision and the sculptor’s hand. We offer seamless restoration with a sensitivity to the original artisan’s use of materials. 

Known for the highest quality of Stone Dutchman Repair, as sculptors we understand that depth creates shadow, and shadow brings out the form. We work with every stone, including granite, marble, limestone, brownstone, as well as with clay, plaster, and wood.

In addition to restoration, we also create totally new designs and ornamental works.

B & H Art in Architecture ltd

Shijia Chen, Master Stone Carver

B & H stands for Brain and Hand and was  founded in 1990 by sculptor Shijia Chen. B&H is  dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and restoration of exteriors and interiors of New York City’s historical structures and landmarks.

B & H is interested in restoring and preserving the artistry found in all cultures. Our approach to each project is unique based on the original architect’s vision and sculptor’s hand. While we can recreate any period and style, to offer seamless restoration we are also acutely sensitive to the individual artisan’s use of the materials. Known for the highest quality of Stone Dutchman Repair, as sculptors we understand that depth creates shadow, and shadow brings out the form. We work with every stone, including granite, marble, limestone, brownstone, as well as with clay, plaster, and wood.

Selected Restoration Projects

A sampling of the some of the many landmark architectural projects worked on by B and H Art in Architecture.

Tweed Courthouse

Restored:
Twelve Corinthian rectangular half-capitals, 2 meters by 2 meters .

Four Corinthian round capitals, 2 meters in diameter at the front colonnade.

38 pairs of grand volutes
28 pairs of small volutes
28 flowers
160 curved acanthus
and hundreds of parts in different shapes.
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How we can help you

New York Appellate Courthouse

The restoration of over 20 bigger than life figurative statues.

Facade restoration includes restoring flat surfaces and regular architectural features.

All work was carved on site.

How we can help you

New York Public Library

Repaired over 2,100 decorative ornamental locations on the New York Public Library main branch

How we can help you

Metropolitan Museum
of Art

Renovated facade elements including  six Goddess Heads residing along the Cheneau cresting above the cornice.

Interior projects include:
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The Temple of Dendur in the Egyptian Wing
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The Moroccan Court of new Middle Eastern Gallery
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The American Wing
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Japan Gallery.

How we can help you

Met Cloisters

Restored 3 twelfth century early-gothic French limestone tracery windows on  site, 30% new material

Restored 4 sixteenth century late-gothic limestone tracery windows at B and H’s  workshop, 100% restored, and reinstalled onsite

New limestone tracery window fabricated and installed in the early gothic hall

How we can help you

Grace Church

Restored 25 gothic-revival limestone tracery windows on site,  18 with 50% replacement; 4 with 100% replacement; 3 with partial dutchmen repair
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Replaced the top 11 levels of the Steeple with carving
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Restored the decorative features on the parish resident’s door surrounding

Restored and carved out all the lost details on the finials and pinnacles.

How we can help you

Jefferson Market Library

Replaced front entrance decoration stone carving including restoring all of the lost details of the New York State Seal.

How we can help you

Kykuit,
The Rockefeller Estate

Restored the main mansion’s north peripteral.

Restored the damage to a few columns in the front gardens

The restoration of limestone columns for the grand fountain  facing the mansion.

Partial restoration was done to the stalactite niche in the backyard.

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How we can help you

American Museum on Natural History

Restored over 70 granite stone dutchman repairs.

How we can help you

Central Park, Bethesda Fountain

Carved 19 gate names
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Restored Bethesda Terrace dutchmen repair

Made a 12 foot tall replacement model of Gonfalon.

How we can help you

St. Patrick's Cathedral

On-site repair of marble dutchmen in over 1000 locations over a total of 3 years

How we can help you

Trinity Church

Repaired extensive exterior damaged areas

Replaced missing ornaments

Restored decorative stone leaves and vines at the front of the Gothic Revival entrance.

How we can help you

The Links

36 East 62nd Street , NYC 

• Decorative ornaments
• Rreplacement carving
•  Kasota limestone,


completed February, 2025
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How we can help you

Other Projects

Other notable landmark projects include:

• Lyndhurst Mansion
• Frick Collection
• Players Club
• NY Vietnam War Memorial
• Fashion Tower
• 1040 Park Avenue
• The Cooper Union
• The Links
• Morgan Library
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How we can help you

Private Projects

Privately commissioned projects include:
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•  Fireplace
• Chinese style Fountain
• Blooming Flower Fountain
• Flying Angel
• Musicians (Egyptian style relief)

B and H will work with your architect, designer or directly.

How we can help you
Shijia Chen is a master stone carver who has restored the sculptural elements and facades of some of New York’s most iconic buildings.

His success stems from a rigorous attention to detail, a commitment to ingenuity, and a deep respect for the historic artworks that he is restoring.
In addition to his architectural restoration work, Shijia Chen is both an artist and a sculptor.  
Sculptor

For more information:

chen@bhartinarchitecture.com
shijiachen02@gmail.com