The restorer's trade holds many surprises. There are over 60,000 species of trees in the world. Suffice it to say that even though the same types of wood are often found in French furniture, sometimes you stumble upon something completely new. I found this wood odd. Violet wood? No. Rosewood? Perhaps, but a variety I don't recognize. Okay, I'll strip a section to see the wood's true color. Hey, the varnish was very red: this veneer is actually yellow-orange, even tawny. Ouch, I don't know this wood… Well, I'll leave this piece of furniture aside for a while to search through my archives and books on wood species. And after a few days, there it is: yellow Saint Martin.
Yellow St. Martin is a South American species. It is found in Brazil, in the sub-Amazonian region, and in Guyana. This wood is not suitable for slicing: it is almost never used for veneer. But I was lucky enough to find some in solid form, which allowed me to make veneer.
Here is an ordinary piece of furniture that derives all its charm from the rarity of its wood.
On the restoration side, even though it might not look like it, there's quite a bit of work to do. All the surfaces need to be treated to rehydrate the glue and re-glue the veneer. There are a few missing areas to fill and, above all, a beautiful clear varnish to bring out the wood's beauty. I've kept the leather and cleaned the bronze mounts with Panama wood.
This piece of furniture is for sale at the Galerie Dagault – Tel – 0603490255
To see previous restorations : https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/
Surprising to use such an exotic wood, but the result is magnificent!! Well done!!
Thank you. Yes, the cabinetmaker probably came across this wood by chance and wanted to try it out. It worked.