| This article continues on from our previous article | | | | approach to your article, go to another, as we all have |
| "Determining the Timber of Antique Furniture without | | | | our limitations of specialist skills and knowledge. |
| Damaging the Finish". | | | | Convince yourself that the person is sympathetic |
| The decision about the type of attention that a piece | | | | toward your project and will carry out the work at |
| of furniture requires should not be rushed, as an article | | | | hand in both an aesthetically and financially satisfying |
| of furniture incorrectly restored can lack character and | | | | manner. |
| decline in value, even though the work has been | | | | A basic understanding of cabinet-making timbers is |
| carried out to the very highest standard. Consideration | | | | very useful, as often we are asked to repair items |
| must be given to the style of the piece, be it city, | | | | that have been repaired by others and we find a |
| provincial or country, whether it was originally polished | | | | different timber than the original was used for the |
| or painted, and the standard of the cabinet work: | | | | repairs. This can cause major aesthetic problems |
| master craftsman, joiner or bush carpenter. The quality | | | | leaving larger repairs than would usually be necessary |
| and the methods used in the original manufacture will | | | | as a second repair will mean the removal of additional |
| bear weight on the decision of what work is to be | | | | timber. When damage occurs, repair it promptly and |
| done and the manner in which it is to be carried out. | | | | don't leave it to deteriorate further as this will often |
| Allow me to elaborate on this with an example. | | | | affect the appearance of repairs carried out at a later |
| We often see furniture that has been restored to | | | | date. |
| perfection with a thick full-bodied finish shining like a | | | | Joint erosion may leave thick glue joint or even |
| crystal, but unfortunately this may be on a rustic pine | | | | necessitate the use of additional timber, forcing a |
| table that was originally finished in red ochre with a | | | | major repair when simple maintenance would have |
| raw timber top and now looks like a reproduction in | | | | sufficed. Do not use nails, screws and PVA glue in |
| recycled timber. | | | | makeshift repairs as they will often do more damage |
| A sound understanding of all of all the above is | | | | than the problem at hand. |
| needed by both restorer and owner, but most | | | | Next time we will discuss how "Pine, Cedar, |
| importantly by the restorer so that he or she can | | | | Blackwood and Huon Pine Antique Furniture Is |
| advise you. If you are not satisfied with a restorer's | | | | Becoming Increasingly Rare". |