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19th century furniture questions

19th century furniture questions (post #123823)

sateen62 on Tue, 08/17/2004 - 04:44

Woodworking Events

As a newbie to the forum, take it easy on me, ok? I have 3 questions that I am looking to have answered, if possible:

1) Where can I find the formula or commercial source for a stain or almost like a glaze that was used on cherry wood furniture in the 19th century?

2) Are there commercial sources for reproduction legs and feet for late sheraton and empire era chests of drawers, specifically cherry, walnut, and mahogany woods?

3) What is a source of reproduction furniture hardware in the styles that were commonly used by frontier cabinetmakers in the 19th century (not the high end style used on 19th century East coast pieces)?

As they say on talk radio, I'll hang up now and listen.

(post #123823, reply #1 of 5)

by jackplane in reply to sateen62 [original] on Tue, 08/17/2004 - 14:47

Welcome.

1) your local library

2)yes, FWW is one of them.also Rockler and Woodcraft.

3) doubtful in my opinion.most of these were hand-wrought,essentially one of a kind.but if you want a southwestern look, Rockler also has these.

Expert since 10 am.

(post #123823, reply #2 of 5)

by PianoMan in reply to sateen62 [original] on Tue, 08/17/2004 - 16:24

For item # 2, check www.tablelegs.com

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by Tao in reply to sateen62 [original] on Tue, 08/17/2004 - 16:57

1) I've restored a lot of furniture from the 18th and 19th Centuries, and I have also studied the history of finishing a lot, and as far as I know, glazes weren't commonly used in furniture finishing until after WWII. The most common clear finish in the 19th Century was Shellac, often blended with other gums and resins, folowed by oil varnish, which I have rarely seen used in my particular area. Linseed oikl and wax were also used. Stains, when used, were vegetable dyes, chemical treatments such as lime and potassium permanganate, and ground minerals such as brick dust.

If you can post a picture of the look you want, or describe it clearly enough, I or someone else here can probably tell you how to do it with original or madern materials.

3) Most of the primitive (frontier) 19th Century furniture I have seen has turned or carved wooden pulls or knobs. Factory made furniture often had metal, glass, and ceramic handles and knobs. Van Dykes Restorers is one fairly comprehensive source for reproduction hinges, casters, and other appropriate hardware. You can find them on the Web.

Michael R.

Michael

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by mike4244 in reply to sateen62 [original] on Tue, 08/17/2004 - 21:37

I believe Woodwiz is right on the money about the finish. I have a friend who is a woodfinisher that used to specialize in antique furniture repairs. I asked about your question as he is here now. Jim believes that almost all cherry furniture at that time was shellaced, orange, buttonwood or combinations of darker shellacs. The boards or the entire piece were put in sunlight for one day. This started the natural aging process. Table tops got varnish over the shellac. All other furniture usually got multiple coats of shellac.Wax over the finish was left up to the client.

As far as glaze goes, Jim does not recall any antique cherry furniture that had any type of glaze.

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by joinerswork in reply to sateen62 [original] on Wed, 08/18/2004 - 04:31

sateen,

Horton Brasses in Cromwell, CT, has wooden knobs, as well as simple brass hdwe for furniture. They have a pretty nice assortment of hand forged hinges and other ironwork.

The finish most commonly seen on old cherry I've seen is , as others have said, shellac. Sometimes the old unrefinged shellac can take on an opaque appearance approaching that of a glaze, especially if it is a really heavily applied finish, or if it has been "freshened " by being overcoated.

Regards,

Ray