Antique, Modern Furniture Decorative Finishes

American Queen Anne Period Chinoiserie Gilt & Lacquered Desk, ca. 1720's- Owner had no clue to the beauty beneath the decayed and grimy varnish applied over the years

Several colors of gold and platinum leaf used on this rare example of American Chinoiserie Queen Anne Desk, after

See details of conservation - American Queen Anne Period Chinoiserie desk

We prepare Chinese Lacquer using copal gum varnish (originally used) for Conservation. This piece has several colors of gold leaf, and platinum leaf in the sails and faces. Parcel gilding paints in the black details after the underlying surface is gilded.

Milk paint with crackle finish

George III Period Chair Parcel Gilding

Italian Chair with milk paint

Stabilization of decorative finishes is fundamental. Infilling of such finishes, matching the original finishes and materials, requires special skills, experience and education.? Education alone is insufficient to produce good results in fine conservation. Olek conserves?milk paint, oil paints, Japanning, pietre dure or stone inlays, Oriental Lacquer or Coromandel, gesso and composition molded elements. Guidelines to follow in such work include:

 

Milk paint should have similar formulation to original.

 

Japanning should be done with the same base of clay and whiting or other ingredients as used in the original furniture decorative finish.

 

Oriental Lacquer varnishes prepared with copal varnish and pigments matching original ingredients, for the same consistency and appearance as the original screen or decorative object.

 

Parcel gilding is a technique used in China to create extraordinarily fine gilt detail in figural and scenic landscapes. First the ground was gilt, then the figures painted out around the gilding, leaving intricate gilt detail showing through the paint or lacquer that could not be done by gilding on top of the paint.

Milk paint is made from casein, and has been in use for the centuries before modern oil paints were available. It is an extremely durable finish, and usually only requires conservation, infilling of worn surfaces by an artist. Milk paint often has an alligatored or checked surface, and new milk paint can be applied to have the same distressed look.

Milk paint was readily created and frequently used in rural areas, from milk and the addition of stable pigments. Although it easily water-spots, it is extremely difficult to remove, and is much more durable subjected to other solvents or strippers than are modern finishes, such as nitrocellulose lacqeur, varnishes, or oil or latex paint.

Milk paint has a dull to satin gloss level, which could be enhanced by overcoating with wax or shellac.

Conservation of milk paint finishes is relatively difficult compared to modern pigmented finishes. The color intensity and dull finish are challenging to match. The pigments are not as readily available as they once were.

Below is a typical Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, that a wife would bring into the marriage. Note the name and date originally painted on the chest by the bride:

Pennsylvania German settlers had a long history of paint decoration of furniture, to apply culturally important decoration, and often to enhance inexpensive use of woods, to resemble more costly imported woods not available in rural areas.

Chest with milk paint decoration produced in Pennsylvania suffering from physical damages and long usage.

Top of chest shown restored, leaving significant distress intact, not over-restored.

Front of Pennsylvania Dutch chest after conservation of milk paint finish.

Bracket foot showing considerable distress- before.

Bracket foot showing considerable distress- after.