Daniel Chapman Antique Furniture Restoration

Antique furniture restoration and French polishing Furniture restorer and cabinet maker Www.chapmanrestoration.co.uk

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18th century Dutch Marquertry walnut chest of draws restoration

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Antique 18th century oak mule chest restoration

http://www.chapmanrestoration.co.uk A 18th century large oak coffer come in recently for restoration after being through a house fire. The furniture has suffered from smoke and water damage. The furniture had been left for several months to dry out in the workshop. This gave it plenty of time for the moisture to dry out Evenly after allowing the timber to dry and move as it wanted to. The damage…

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My approach to restoration is often to do the minimum necessary. I prefer the under-restored to the over-restored, but we try to find the right balance with everything that goes through the workshop. To help me with this I consult the dealers and private clients who I’ve worked for over 20 years. I know how important the originality of an object is to the furniture particularly it's patina, . I will discuss each piece in depth and decide on the approach for its care - only doing what's really necessary, whilst retaining its signs of life, history and time-softened charm and patina

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Fine, Scarce and Important George II Triple Folding Mahogany Harlequin Games Table by Thomas Potter

* A true triple folding harlequin table, all too often others are called triple yet have only two actual folding leaves upon its base, this table is however a true piece of ingenious craftsmanship from the dawn of these tables which has three fully folding leaves and is fully attributed to the inventor of such tables, that being Thomas Potter, master cabinet maker of High Holborn, London.

Circa 1735-40 this George II mahogany triple-folding harlequin games/card table comes complete with its original two keys, one of which is an absolute work of art in its own right, as well as a full chess set, ivory die and shakers.

Measuring 78cm high, 80cm wide, 38cm deep [76cm when extended]

The three rectangular folding tops with rounded edges open out upon an adjustable height stay on the rear gate-leg where it can be adjusted for the different heights required by which ever leaf has been opened.

The Leaves:

The first opens to a plain polished tea-table, where upon this can be folded back and the second fold opened to reveal a fully inlaid backgammon and chessboard with ivory escutcheons, the third and final fold opens to a baize lined games table with four guinea-wells, by Pressing down upon the two original brass pulls located either side of the base it then propels the cartonnier effortlessly to it’s maximum height upon its four original steel springs located within the carcass.

The piece now transformed into a desk with pigeon holes, drawers for documents and inkwells and a fitted adjustable bookrest also has hidden away within the right hand side is a folding frame which fits into the ivory escutcheons of the backgammon table.

Standing on tapered legs terminating in pad feet with enclosed brass skirted castors.. Folded away it returns to an elegant table where its base moulding conforms delightfully to those of the folding leaves.

A very honest and true tour de force from the early Georgian period.

Thomas potter:

Master Cabinetmaker of Holborn, was known to have taken on as apprentice Michael Bonsfield in 1731 along with his son Philip Potter in 1746.

Potter was also known to work with master cabinet maker John Kelsey of Westminster, between them they supplied fine furniture to the some of the countries elite including Sir Richard Colt Hoare of Barn Elms, Richmond and Sir Justinian Isham the 5th Baronet of Lamport at Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire.

Further information:

A design for a table of this form is shown on the trade card of Thomas Potter (see images above) cabinet maker of High Holborn, now at Victoria and Albert Museum (ref. no. E.2320-1889). An English table of this model is at Temple Newsam House in Leeds and is illustrated, together with Potter's drawing, in G. Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall, vol. iii., Leeds, 1998, pp.658-660. The name `Harlequin' was used to describe a table of this multi purpose form and derives from the master-of-disguises in 18th century commedia dell' arte theatre.

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1750 oak/ walnut chest on chest restoration. Antique country 1750 oak/walnut chest on chest restoration The country made chest on chest come in for restoration recently, the chest had completely dried out, the boards on the side had shrunk and spilt , along with the carcass top and bottoms becoming loose. The O G bracket feet had been chopped down and theses would need replacing during the restoration.The chest on chest woukd require a complete dismantle removing all mouldings , worn out draw runners , back and flat pack the carcass . Then I could reglue the sides , rejoining the boards backtogether and removing the mahogany from previous restoration. Once this was done the carcass was rebuilt reusing rails and backs . The sides were repaired with new oak strips. Then new draw runners were fitted back into the carcass .New Og feet were made and moulded by hand and once, cut and mitred together then they were fitted to the carcass .Unfortunately some of the mouldings used had been replaced with pine . New ones were made from some 18th century oak and fitted Then the new feet were fitted . These would be aged underneath later on during the restoration The draws were repaired with new runners to the draws as these were worn out, along with some mouldings to the draws.One of the draws had been replaced in the past and would require the walnut crossbanding to be added . Once all this was done and levelled the chest was cleaned back to remove the dirt from the surface and wash it into the new repairs. Then it was lightly French polished and waxed . The brass handles are later we’re cleaned to remove the white marks from old brasso and put back on to complete the restoration ,Probably one of the more in-depth restoration I’ve done on a chest on chest for a while . An enjoyable prodject and saved for a little longer.

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Daniel Chapman Antique Furniture Restoration and Repair in the Milton Keynes area

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Walnut Marquertry breakfeast table

The table come in for some restoration , the top having been veneered in 8 walnut quarters , some had blistered in places. Theses were glued down with fresh glue injected underneath and flattened over night.

The table was then cleaned and refinished . This brought out the colour of the timber and the original colours of the Marquertry flowers

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The mahogany Scottish chest of draws come in for some restoration, the chest would need some attention to the draw runners, the carcass had some veneer damage to the rails and would need a few repairs.

The top had some water damage that had gone black and woukd need attention, once theses repairs were carried out the chest was clean and French polished to bring back some colour to the mahogany veneers . The brass handles were cleaned and highlighted and put back on

A good storage peace and ready for another 100 years

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18th century oak bureau bookcase restoration

The bureau bookcase come in for restoration , the bureau woukd require some repairs to the draws front mouldings , missing moulding to the bookcase doors , the sides had some shrinkage to them and the two boards had become loose and woukd require to be9 glued up. The draw front handles were a mixture of original, some later Edwardian handles and broken handles that had been used as key escutcheon

Thankfully this particular pattern is still available and new handles were ordered from Optimum Brasses Ltd . Theses would be fitted later on .inside the bureau would require some new frets to be cut and fitted . Around the carcass the bureau would need some repairs to mouldings , rails ,feet,

The bureau fall was loose and woukd need gently taking apart and reglued back together. The bottom draw had damage to the sun burst and woukd require repairs along with glueing down loose veneers . Once all repirs were done the bureau was cleaned to remove the water damage and dirt from the surface . Then I applied beeswax and buffed up between coats . Once happy with the sheen and the new repairs were coloured out the new handles were fitted and keys were cut to the doors and bureau flap .

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Antique gillows nest of four tables

The nest of four tables come in for restoration, the tables come in for restoration, the polish had discoloured and gone pale, some of the tops the veneers had blistered . Theses were ironed down and the tables were cleaned and French polished

The four tables each being veneered in different timbers used

Rosewood, west Indian satinwood , figured oak ,Birds Eye maple ,mahogany , the chequer board made from rosewood and satinwood. Spindle legs turned from Brazilian rosewood

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Antique 19th century mahogany cylinder desk restoration

The 5ft mahogany desk come in for restoration, the desk having been stored for a while in damp condition. The desk woukd need to be completely cleaned to remove the old damage polish before I could refinish the desk.

The biggest issue was that every draw was completely swollen in place and I would need to remove the back , draw runners to free the draws . The draws were then planed to fit the carcass again.

The desk had a new leather fitted and a key cut to the spring 4 lever lock . The brass handles were cleaned and put back on

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Mahogany harlequin games table

A George II mahogany triple-fold harlequin games table, attributed to Thomas Potter, circa 1735, The harlequin games table come in for some

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Mahogany Marquertry drum table restoration

Mahogany Marquertry drum table restoration

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Antique olive oyster veneered marquertry lace box

A Charles II period oyster veneered lace box of rare small size, ca 1685.

A late seventeenth century lace box inlaid with oyster olive wood and holly or sycamore bands. Of good rich colour and patina.

Often made to be displayed on matching chests”. Traditionally referred to as a ‘lace box’ or ‘bible box’, but could equally serve a variety of functions today, such as a jewellery box.

Charles ll period (1630 – 1685).

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Conserved and restored and waxed this lovely olive wood oyster veneered lace box with marquetry inlays

A Charles II period oyster veneered Marquertry lace box 1685.

A late seventeenth century lace box inlaid with oyster olive wood and holly or sycamore . Often made to be displayed on matching chests”. Traditionally referred to as a ‘lace box’ or ‘bible box’, but could equally serve a variety of functions today, such as a jewellery box.

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Antique Georgian mahogany chest on chest

The George lll mahogany chest on chest come in for restoration, the chest needed repairs to the cornice moulding, with a peace broken and missing. . This would need new timber cut to fit and shaped, before being finished to match the original mouldings.

The chest on chest had some damage to cockbeading and drawrunners needing some attention. Once all repairs were done the peace was cleaned and waxed . The condition was very dry and dull due to some sunlight and water damage .

The brassware was lightly cleaned and put back to complete the restoration of the chest on chest

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Antique Georgian mahogany tallboy

The Georgian tallboy come in for some restoration, the chest would need some attention to the draw runners, replacing the runners to the draws. The tallboy was constructed from solid timber throughout, the draw fronts over lap the carcass and often they will get damage from being knocked against the carcass as the draw are shut and opened . Their was several draws with damage that need repairs.

The carass rails had some shrinkage issues and would require removing the rail and replacement timber used , this would be coloured out during the restoration and finishing . Once all repairs were carried out, the tallboy was cleaned and then waxed using my own made beewax . The brassware was left on during the restoration and carefull cleaning left some dirt and age around them .

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Antique country walnut bureau 1735

Lovely antique walnut bureau come in for some restoration, the bureau had needed some attention after being used by the same family all of its life and being shipped and brought ack from Australia.

The bureau had dried out with blistered and some missing veneers , that woukd need glue to be injected underneath them . Around the draws the feather bead edge it was missing and some replaced with timber, this was removed and replaced were necessary.

The top had some point been removed and replaced with a single peace of walnut . The top was re veneeredusing some 17th century walnut I removed from a door that come in for braking . A feather beading was added to match the original one used in the bureau draws and fall.

The interior was fine apart from two draws that had large locks fitted to them. I removed the draw fronts and redovetailed the sides back into the new draw fronts. This was then polished and waxed to match the rest with a brass knob being fitted .

Once all veneers were repaired around the carcass and cracks from shrinkage issues the entire urea’s was cleaned and the outside French polished . The interior was cleaned and waxed with a blue baise fitted .

The later carrying handles were fitted back on to the customers request.

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