Laiton Archives • Ébénisterie Mathieu Vath

Louis XV slant-front secretary

June 15, 2021June 23, 2021 Mathieu Vathdonkey's back desk, Vacuum bonding, Brass, Boulle marquetry, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, 18th century

This week, a curious and very pretty Louis XV period slant-front secretary/desk in Boulle marquetry and rosewood. And yes, it wasn't only under Napoleon III that the reuse of Boulle marquetry was fashionable. In fact, Boulle marquetry continued to have admirers throughout the 18th century. It was from the 1750s onwards that the renewed interest was most pronounced. Prominent merchants, such as Lazare Duvaux, began selling them occasionally at considerable prices to prestigious clients, […]

Small Boulle marquetry cartel clock

August 24, 2020June 11, 2022 Mathieu Vathcartel, Vacuum bonding, Brass, Boulle marquetry, Napoleon III, Uncategorized, French polish, 19th century

Restoration of a Napoleon III period marquetry clock in brown tortoiseshell on a black ground and brass. Despite dust, oxidation, and years spent in the depths of an attic, this small clock is in very good condition. Except for a missing piece of brass on the right side of the capital, it is complete. The gilding is still clearly visible beneath the layer of grime, and the structure is in perfect condition. The restoration was therefore straightforward: re-gluing all the marquetry under vacuum, then a light cleaning, and a varnishing with […]

Napoleon III Boulle marquetry side table

May 10, 2020May 31, 2021 Mathieu Vathjam pot, Brass, Boulle marquetry, Napoleon III, 19th century

Restoring this piece of furniture is a classic. The door was warped and almost all the brass inlay was missing. Its main advantage was that the marquetry on the door was fairly well preserved, apart from a small amount of missing brass and a few pieces of dyed horn. Nothing too serious. So I started by removing the bronze mounts, then I remade and glued all the missing inlays, reattaching those that were still there in the process. Next, I tackled the door. After removing the veneer […]

Label signed "Louis David Carré in Paris"«

February 22, 2020May 31, 2021 Mathieu VathBronzes, cartel, oak, Vacuum bonding, graft, Brass, Boulle marquetry, furniture restoration, French polish

After several weeks of work, the restoration of this clock is finally complete. It is a Louis XV period clock in brown tortoiseshell and brass marquetry, with rosewood restorations. The dial is by Louis David Carré, nephew of Jullien le Roy, who became a master craftsman on December 31, 1748. Lodged at the Louvre from 1744, he was elected a juror in 1775. The greatest treasure of this clock lies in its bronze mounts. They are truly magnificent, and above all, they are in very good condition. There is only […]

Secretary Napoleon III

December 21, 2019May 31, 2021 Mathieu VathBronzes, Vacuum bonding, Brass, Boulle marquetry, Napoleon III, restoration, furniture restoration, secretary

On the restoration side, there wasn't much to do: the brass fittings were reattached with fish glue and by infiltration, then stripped and varnished. The most difficult part of this type of furniture is the black stain. Over time, pear wood darkens, loses its color, and turns gray. It then needs to be stained, without, of course, obscuring the brass. To do this, I fill and polish the piece until the brass becomes a true mirror. Then, I apply a hot logwood stain, and then […]

Corner cabinet in Boulle marquetry from the Napoleon III period

November 20, 2019May 31, 2021 Mathieu VathBronzes, Vacuum bonding, corner, graft, Brass, Boulle marquetry, Napoleon III, Uncategorized, furniture restoration, French polish

A classic restoration of Boulle marquetry. This involved rehydrating the old glue through infiltration, crafting and gluing the missing brass pieces, and reconstructing the base, which was in poor condition but not beyond repair. The bronze mounts were cleaned and finished with a clear French polish. Proof that appearances can be deceiving. Even a piece of furniture in a severely deteriorated state can regain its former beauty.

Louis XVI style games table

June 30, 2019May 31, 2021 Mathieu Vathrosewood, Leather, Brass, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, Louis XVI style, games table, French polish

This week, a small Louis XVI style games table left the workshop. As you'll see, there wasn't much work to be done. It just goes to show that a simple cleaning, revarnishing, and a fresh coat of leather can breathe new life into a rather dull piece of furniture.