Restoration of a fine Geo I figured walnut bureau cabinet

This very important piece came into the workshop requiring a lot of restoration work. Although in a fairly decent overall condition and originality, there was a lot of loose/missing veneer and loose mouldings with many small repairs required to bring it back to its former cared for self. There were also several quite serious shrinkage cracks to the front fall and sides, needing specialist attention.

The glass mirror plate doors had long lost there mercury silvered reflective coating and thus needed to be re-silvered and the walnut back panels to the doors were also missing. I had to make replacement panels for the cabinet doors. A finish of shellac French polish badly applied all over the piece some time age by a previous "improver", needed carefully removing and refinishing with linseed oil and wax to bring out the beauty and colour of the walnut.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
http://marburyhouseantiques.com/restorations/item/61-restoration-of-a-fine-geo-i-figured-walnut-bureau-cabinet.html#sigProIdd6137b5ddd

SN61