Oil Paint Conservation

Oil Paint was used in antique furniture and woodwork as a means of enhancing decoration with figurative designs or painting, or imitating more expensive woods, or other materials which may not have been readily available, such as tortoise shell, or expensive marquetry. Often used on primitive furniture, paint decorated hope or dowery chests, room paneling, clocks, mirrors, pianos, neoclassical cabinetry, and other furniture.

RESTORATION & PRESERVATION

Olek Staff

9/20/20233 min read

When paint is hundreds of years old, it may be in need of conservation. There are a variety of reasons for conserving paint finishes:

  • Removing later varnishes without removing the original paint,

  • Removing overpainting covering beautiful original paint,

  • Infilling missing designs, that may have been damaged or lost adhesion and flaked off

  • Fire or smoke damage

  • Move damages

Some examples of oil paint conservation projects are shown below:

George II Tallcase Clock, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca.1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca.1760
George II Tallcase, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase, ca. 1760
George II Tallcase Clock, ca. 1760

George II Clock with shattered Eglomaise painted and gilt glass panes below the broken swan's neck pediment (before)

Eglomaise painted glass showing loss of adhesion and physical damages (before)

George II Clock with Eglomaise painted and gilt glass panes replicated (After)

George II Clock with Eglomaise painted and gilt glass panes (after)

George II Clock with shattered Eglomaise painted and gilt glass panes under restoration and conservation

The severe damage to the original glass was unacceptable to the owner, who elected to restore to original condition. After work was completed by Olek craftsman the original owner was throughly satisfied with the outcome.

Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809
Primitive Pennsylvania German Dowery Chest, ca. 1809

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)

Pennsylvania Dutch chest after conservation of milk paint finish

Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Nineteenth Century
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet
Oil Painting Portrait Conservation of Polychrome Painting on Canvas, artist unknown, ca. early Ninet

Before

After

Before condition poor, canvas weak, paint extensively crazed, overvarnish oxidized, ripped

Before condition poor, canvas weak, paint extensively crazed, over varnish oxidized, ripped (close up view)

Painting during cleaning, prior to repair

Oil painting, cleaning almost completed

Painting during filling of tears

Conservation complete, new varnish applied