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| | | Pair
of Veneered Commodes | View progress: 1
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| | | Both chests
have sustained water damage to the tops consisting of discoloration and blanched
white rings. The veneer is peeling and warping with splits and losses evident.
There are expansion splits in the substrate wood as well. The surface coating
also had imbedded impressions of fabric.
The surface of the veneers
were first cleared of shellac with ethanol and fine wadding. The veneers were
then removed from the substrate by forcing steam through the wood to soften the
adhesive underneath. The glue residue was mechanically removed when exposed. The
veneers were then placed between acid free blotters and placed into a press. The
blotters were changed at least five times over the next 72 hours. All the damaged
veneers in the medallions and background were salvaged.
Each commode
had expansion splits in the walnut substrate planks. These splits ran under the
damaged medallions, causing further problems. All debris was removed from the
splits and walnut splices were used to fill these gaps and held in place with
hide glue. All original segments of veneer were then reconstructed with hide glue
and placed under weight for 24 hours. The missing areas of veneer were identified
as Walnut Burl, European Boxwood, and Pear wood. These woods were used to fabricate
the missing sections. The new areas were toned with aniline dyes and the pieces
set into place with hide glue.
The original shellac surface was reconstituted
with ethanol and padding, to slowly penetrate the surface and lift the stains
and discolorations. In the areas where little or no shellac remained, new amber
shellac was applied with an airbrush and French polished to mimic the shine and
luster of the original surface finish. | 
