300 year old piece from Switzerland

[duke]

Daughter has given me this lovely drawer, writting desk, not sure off the proper name for it. Previous owner brought it from Switzerland in the esrl 90's. This is what he told me. Needs a bit of work to bring it back to it's original glory. Would like some ideas as to how to clean the veneer work. Great project when I have free time.

 

[duke]

 

[duke]

All the trim that has fallen off is in one of the drawers.
The top is not original as you can see, just plunked on top.

 

[Woodbloke]

That's a lovely piece Scott! I've never restored something like that and others will be far more knowledgeable about how to go about it. My guess is some sort of hide glue to re-stick the missing trim and perhaps a gentle wood reviver of some sort on the 300year old patina? Whatever you choose, go very slowly and carefully. Seek advice if in any doubt! - Rob

 

[duke]

Will do, I have plenty of time till I get to this.
All advice is appreciated.

 

[AndyP]

Equal parts Linseed Oil, White Spirit, Vinegar for a reviver.

 

[Woodbloke]

Equal parts Linseed Oil, White Spirit, Vinegar for a reviver.

That sounds like good stuff Andy, but I assume the vinegar is the distilled, gin clear variety and not the stuff you get in the chippy? - Rob

 

[Cabinetman]

That’s going to be a lovely piece when you’ve done it Scott, what’s happening with the front moulding being not parallel with the drawer etc?
Ian

 

[duke]

Ian, it has come detached and when I moved it to where it should be it looks fine.
Hopefully I can do a google search of the pics to get some info on the piece.
I can hear my wife saying what have you brought home.

 

[Cabinetman]

Well I think she should be jolly pleased. Love those little drawers!

 

[AndyP]

That sounds like good stuff Andy, but I assume the vinegar is the distilled, gin clear variety and not the stuff you get in the chippy? - Rob

It’s a recipe that my father used for many years. I’ve no idea which vinegar he used but when I made some I did use clear vinegar. I found his bottle when clearing out his workshop last year.

 

[Richard]

Equal parts Linseed Oil, White Spirit, Vinegar for a reviver.

That can work well on good or whole old film finishes, e.g., shellac where the aim is to clean years of grime off and add a bit of sheen. The mix can be undesirable if the original finish was a non-film type such as wax, or the pre-existing film finish is damaged because then the linseed oil can get to the wood grain: the potentially undesirable element is that the linseed oil will darken the wood, perhaps patchily where a film finish is partially damaged.

I've witnessed the darkening this type of reviver can cause a few times. Not all customers were happy, but luckily for me it wasn't my furniture business and I didn't have to explain myself.

Anyway, if the plan is to just clean, leave out the linseed oil and just use white (mineral) spirts and vinegar and wipe over with 0000 (very fine) steel/wool. I suggest this because I suspect the original finish is shellac. Test for this with methanol, then go from there, e.g., clean, and add a rubber or two of shellac polish.

The piece is probably closer to 150 years old than 300. The giveaways are the hardware (too close to modern) and the style of the piece in general. It doesn't have that early eighteenth century vibe to it really, even though it's reckoned to be Swiss rather British or English with which I'm more familiar. Slainte.

 

[duke]

Having done a bit of research on this last night it does line up with you saying the age is closer to 150 years. The previous owner of this piece had said it was 300 years old, I guess he was told that by the dealer overseas.

 

[AndyP]

Sage advice as always from Richard. I hope it goes without saying that if you are in anyway unsure then test first.