Here's a nice Youtube video that shows a quality restoration of a nice ebonized Renaissance Revival credenza w/ marquetry by Robert Whitley of Bucks County PA. (This is part 5 of 5 - parts 1-4 are also on youtube) Very nicely done. The cabinet was a basket case and brought back to life.
I've done quite a few jobs like this. It's always rewarding to see furniture come back from the dead and the reaction of the owner when they first get to see the restored piece. It's a shame that they are sometimes let go so far before being saved - it takes a significant commitment to undertake such a restoration, the work and cost can be fairly substantial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQFp6jEEGpY . woodwright
Youtube video of restoration of an ebonized Rennaissance Revival credenza
Archive summary
Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started March 1, 2011 by woodwright · 4 posts · discussion in 2011.
Here's a nice Youtube video that shows a quality restoration of a nice ebonized Renaissance Revival credenza w/ marquetry by Robert Whitley of Bucks County PA. (This is part 5 of 5 - parts 1-4 are also on youtube) Very nicely done. The cabinet was a basket case and brought…
Gorgeous!
So what is the ballpark pricetag for this level of work?
- Jason
So what is the ballpark pricetag for this level of work?
- Jason
It depends on who's doing the job, their overhead, where you live or the work is done. Probably in the 3-6k range. It's time consuming work and needs to be by someone w/ many years of experience to expect great results.
I'd bet good money that credenza was stored in a basement, definitely somewhere damp - that's why is was self destructing. A basement or anywhere damp is one of the worst places to store furniture - new or old. Especially old furniture and especially if it has veneer on it. Most antique furniture was built w/ a hot hide glue (made from rendering animal hides and bones, it comes in dry flake form, is mixed with water, heated up to liquefy it - sets and hardens as it cools down). It's a good, strong glue, easy to work with and has many good qualities. I've seen a lot of joints that are well over 100 years old that are still tight even today. But it is water soluble and it will soften and come unglued with dampness/ moisture. Many furniture conservators and instrument makers still use it because it is very reversible if you need to take something apart for future repairs. Steam or hot water will loosen joints glued w/ hot hide glue very readily.
The glues used for new/ modern furniture are not as sensitive to moisture - but are still somewhat sensitive. A bigger problem w/ modern furniture is the heavy use of particleboard. It does not like damp environments or water - at all. It will swell and warp/ distort if allowed to get very damp - even for short periods of time. I've seen pieces of particle board that got rained on that literally swelled to double it's thickness when wet. It will never go back to it's original size or shape once swollen or warped.
Bottom line is - Keep your furniture dry! (attics aren't a great place either though because of the extreme heat and dryness). Furniture likes and does well the same environment people like to live in. woodwright
I'd bet good money that credenza was stored in a basement, definitely somewhere damp - that's why is was self destructing. A basement or anywhere damp is one of the worst places to store furniture - new or old. Especially old furniture and especially if it has veneer on it. Most antique furniture was built w/ a hot hide glue (made from rendering animal hides and bones, it comes in dry flake form, is mixed with water, heated up to liquefy it - sets and hardens as it cools down). It's a good, strong glue, easy to work with and has many good qualities. I've seen a lot of joints that are well over 100 years old that are still tight even today. But it is water soluble and it will soften and come unglued with dampness/ moisture. Many furniture conservators and instrument makers still use it because it is very reversible if you need to take something apart for future repairs. Steam or hot water will loosen joints glued w/ hot hide glue very readily.
The glues used for new/ modern furniture are not as sensitive to moisture - but are still somewhat sensitive. A bigger problem w/ modern furniture is the heavy use of particleboard. It does not like damp environments or water - at all. It will swell and warp/ distort if allowed to get very damp - even for short periods of time. I've seen pieces of particle board that got rained on that literally swelled to double it's thickness when wet. It will never go back to it's original size or shape once swollen or warped.
Bottom line is - Keep your furniture dry! (attics aren't a great place either though because of the extreme heat and dryness). Furniture likes and does well the same environment people like to live in. woodwright
Amazing video! What an incredible restoration job. :o