Antique furniture conservation, marquetry, french polishing.





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site by Stefan Hepner

Conservation of antiques should stabilize an antique for its current use, as well as for future generations. The objectives of conservation may include:

functional capability, generally the joinery, so the furniture will survive its intended use,
patina of the finish, and endeavoring to identify the clients' needs and how to best accommodate them and the history of the item.
replace missing and stabilize existing decorative elements, such as marquetry, gilding, carving, paint, caning, Japanning, pietre dure, oriental lacquer and plaster or composition.

Objectives vary, depending on the client and antique. Museums have different concerns from residential clients. We respect both sets of concerns, and whatever the clients actual needs may be. We employ noninvasive upholstery techniques as requested. Our standards are demanding - if a repair or inlaid element may be seen as different then the adjacent elements, then the work was not satisfactorily performed.
We invite client participation in the conservation process, and may require visits to our shop to clarify and guide our craftsmen to obtain the desired result.


Dutch Marker Tree Secretary Repair and French Polising	18th Century
This mid-18th century Dutch secretary with cylinder top arrived in inoperable condition; the frame had warped enough to bind the cylinder top in its' channel. Partial disassembly and humidity treatments were necessary to straighten out the carcass to allow the cylinder top to roll again.


Italian Rennaissance Carvin Repair
Dutchman inlays necessary due to powder-post beetle infestation damage. The infestation was terminated by anoxic treatment in carbon dioxide gas.



Readhering or consolidating loose marquetry, matching exotic centuries old veneer with old stock, slightly scorching new marquetry with hot sand to match similarly shaded marquetry inside flowers, rebuilding chair frames or relining drawer runners & rails, French polishing to a mirror ("piano") finish with pure alcohol, carving missing elements to match the originals, are the activities craftsmen have been practicing in the shop of Olek Lejbzon & Co. since 1950.

Repair and Frenchpolishing Louis XV. Marquetry Dressing Table

Victorian Pump Organ Repair	Victorian Pump Organ French Polishing
This Victorian pump organ was home to mice, moths, and other pests. After a thorough cleaning and rebuilding of the keyboard including replacement of damaged elements, including new phosphor-bronze reeds, the organ plays beautifully.



French Polishing is the name given to the process of coating wood with a solution of shellac dissolved in alcohol, using a "rubber" made of rag and cotton wool instead of with a brush. The alcohol evaporates, leaving the shellac deposited upon the wood. When applied correctly it produces what is possibly the finest looking finish for the furniture. Shellac was first introduced into Europe about the 16th Century, but the term FRENCH POLISH was not used until about 1820, when the process was developed by a French cabinet maker.

Dining Table Frechpolishing

Letter Top Desk Frenchpolishing	Italian Directoire Period Chest Drawers French Polishing
A reproduction Chippendale-style writing desk is French polished to perfection to protect its glistening surface.	French polishing 18th century Italian furniture

Frenchpolishing 18th century Marquetry Dressing Table	Italian Chestdrawers
This 1920's piano retained it's original French polished finish. The finish was damaged by the sun, and oxidation, and was dull and semi-opaque. French polishing removed the damaged finish without changing the patina acquired by the sun-bleached veneer and revived the original luster.
	Grand Piano French Polishing




Milk paint with crackle finish	George III Period Chair Parcel Gilding

Italian Chair with milk paint	George I. Period Mirror Gilding Conservation
This 18th century Italian chair with milk paint finish and japanned decoration suffered extensive losses. New Japanning was added to match the original surviving elements.	This George I period mirror was both oil and water gilt. The water gilt portions were burnished to match the original.