To start the year, here are some photos of the restoration of this Regency commode. It is constructed entirely of conifer and veneered with kingwood. The uprights and rails are inlaid with brass fluting. The bronze handles, influenced by Asia and the East India Company trade, are known as "Chinese" style. The keyhole escutcheons, meanwhile, herald the arrival of the Louis XV style in the first half of the 18th century.
Regarding its condition upon arrival, aside from a few missing and peeling veneers, the main problem was that the legs had been raised by 8 cm and the apron had been altered. The entire facade had undergone multiple restorations, and not a single piece of violet wood remained. It had been replaced with walnut or rosewood.
The restoration work therefore consisted of reducing the height of the feet and reworking the foot grafts to better match the curve of the legs. The apron was remade to better match the bronze, and all the front surfaces were replicated in violet wood. This wood was then chemically oxidized to age it and harmonize its color with that of the drawer fronts. A clear French polish was then applied, and the roundels were cleaned with a steam jet.
To see previous restorations : https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/
