Louis XVI Chest of Drawers ca. 1780, France.
Walnut, plum and boxwood veneers on a pine carcass.
Due to very poor storage conditions where the humidity and temperature levels were not controlled, this piece was very seriously damaged. Much of the veneer was either missing or loose. Two feet were missing and the remaining two were cut off at half height. The interior of the cabinet was deteriorating.
The loose pieces of veneer were salvaged and re-glued. The missing pieces of veneer, moulding and feet were replaced using wood with equivalent grain structure. Using as much of the original wood as possible, the drawer runners were restored so the drawers would once again function properly.
The finish was cleaned using steel wool and wet/dry paper. The entire surface was rejuvenated by performing a french polish with thinned shellac.
