Antique Furniture

Welcome to the latest edition of conservation curiosities, where we delve into some of the most unusual and unique objects that come into our studio. This week we are looking at Boulle work, a style of furniture that once flourished under the region of the Sun King, Louis XIV of France. Above: a detail from… Read more »

Decoratively woven to produce a durable and attractive pattern, canework is a much admired feature of many antique chairs and sofas. Whilst historic rattan can survive hundreds of years in a good environment, many pieces are not so lucky and have faced various environmental challenges.  Above: three canework chairs from different eras Broken and deteriorating… Read more »

The distinctive style of Japanese lacquerware can be found on a wide variety of antiques, from cabinets and tables to clothing accessories. Whether the item is authentic or inspired by Edo patterns, many lacquer antiques will require professional restoration due to their sensitive surface and historic materials. Above: a selection of lacquer antiques including an… Read more »

The craftsmanship of wooden furniture is full of centuries old tradition, including the development of decorative veneer surfaces. A veneer is in simple terms a very thinly sliced piece of wood, often selected due to its grain or colour. In some cases, the correct identification of veneer work can help you to explore the era,… Read more »

There are many ways to age a piece of furniture, as seen in our previous article about the many styles of brassware throughout history. This article will look at the ever-changing styles of chair backs and legs that may give us a further understanding of when a chair was made and the fashion that inspired… Read more »

There are many ways to determine the age of antique furniture, such as the joinery techniques and the thickness of the veneer work. Brassware shapes are helpful indicators of changing interior design fashion throughout particular decades, if they are original to the piece this will help us to precisely assess the date of a chest… Read more »

Throughout history beds have been a vital piece of family furniture, often becoming artefacts of great importance due to their insight into how our ancestors lived. Today, many antique beds find their way back into modern homes due to their visual appeal or status as an heirloom. As functional items, historic beds often require routine… Read more »

Writing desks are often a much-admired antique, conjuring memories of romantic letter writing and the handwritten words of famous authors, politicians and royalty. These historic pieces of furniture may have clear signs of a practical past, such as a well-used ink well and abraded edges, as well as pieces of perishing leather and felt or… Read more »

The chest of drawers is one of the most essential pieces of furniture in any home, found in all interiors whether they have a preference for an ornate antique or a contemporary design. Also known as a bureau or dresser, cabinets which include stacks of drawers may be more vulnerable to damage than other household… Read more »

The finish on a piece of wooden furniture, whether this is antique or modern, can make the difference between a charming part of your interior or an eyesore in need of rejuvenation. However, it does not only affect the visual appearance – wooden designs which are left unwaxed or without the correct upkeep can be… Read more »