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Tag Archives: spirit varnish
A Trio of Lath-Back Windsor Chairs – Part Three
The chairs were washed down with hot soapy water and then stained. When dry, I (spirit) varnished the chairs, during which, I gave them a little additional colour before finally waxing them (figs. 1-12). Fig. 1. Fig. 2. The pegs … Continue reading
Ives, Diall’s & Co. Oil and Spirit Varnish Manufactory
Before the process of ‘French polishing’ was broadly adopted for finishing woodwork, a great deal of eighteenth-century furniture was simply, but skilfully polished with spirit varnish, laid on with a brush and then flattened. Colophony, copal, mastic, sandarac and shellac … Continue reading
Posted in Staining, colouring and polishing
Tagged colophony, copal, copal varnish, gold lacquer, mastic, sandarac, shellac, spirit varnish
3 Comments
George II Walnut Ladderback Chair – Part Four
The use of spirit and oil varnishes is documented well before the second quarter of the eighteenth-century whence this chair hails from. However, despite the protection and gloss that varnish affords furniture, chairs of this period often received nothing more … Continue reading
Posted in Seating
Tagged bottomer, oil varnish, rushes, spirit varnish, squab, walnut, wax polish
12 Comments
A William and Mary Simulated Tortoiseshell Chest of Drawers – Part Six
Upon examining early japanned furniture, it becomes apparent why so much testudinally painted furniture was surrendered to japanners and other artists accomplished in chinoiserie. The least convincing simulated tortoiseshell finishes are bedaubed with a repetitive pattern more reminiscent of leopard … Continue reading
Posted in Case Furniture
Tagged blonde, cushion mirror, glazes, mouldings, scarlet, scutes, spirit varnish, tortoiseshell, turtle, William and Mary
8 Comments
A George III Mahogany Kneehole Desk – Part Seven
After cleaning down the desk, I built up a faded mid brown mahogany colour on it and polished it with oil and spirit varnish. The handles were fitted to the drawers and, having finally made up my mind on the … Continue reading
Posted in Case Furniture
Tagged bracket feet, carcase, embossing wheels, kneehole desk, leather, lifting handle, spirit varnish
9 Comments
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