George III Style Bureau in Mahogany and Satinwood, c. first half 20th century
Sometimes, a piece needs a full restoration. This English bureau, likely made in the first half of the 20th century, needed it. Listed as an ‘antique’ online, i had initially passed on it as the extensive restoration would not result into a profitable project. The owner later reached out and wanted to give it to me to restore and find a new home. Hard to say no. Picking it up, I finally saw the issues clearly. Soaking wet. Loose veneer. Broken bracket feet. Failing finish. It was a mess. But, it was handmade in a good English shop the traditional way it would have in 1795. This full restoration resulted in a spectacular piece of usable furniture now living with a happy customer in Frederick, Maryland.
Super sad state of affairs. Soaked. Broken feet. peeling veneer.
Womp womp
Broken bracket feet. They aren't supposed to be build this way. The bracket feet should't take the load of the piece. Need to rebuild all the feet properly.
Rebuilding the feet properly
All the veneer work. Just 1/100th of the work done.
Restoration completed
Classic English...neoclassicism
Classic swan-head brasses over a patterned mahogany field and satinwood edge banding, outlined in black and light stringing.
Hand-cut dovetails
Had to put a final French polish over a tung oil varnish to fill the voids...turned out great
The gallery contained satinwood-veneer drawers. Sign of quality.
Confirmation this was a 20th century piece.