noyer Archives • Ébénisterie Mathieu Vath

English Cabinet

May 23, 2025October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathCabinet, Vacuum bonding, Marquetry, walnut, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, 17th century, 18th century

Restoration of an English cabinet from the late 17th or early 18th century, veneered in walnut and maple. It features the distinctive free-flowing arabesque marquetry known as seaweed marquetry because it evokes the seaweed found on the seabed. Seaweed marquetry is traditionally associated with Dutch and Flemish cabinetmakers of the second half of the 17th century, particularly Gerrit Jensen. Indeed, in 1689, William III of Orange ascended the English throne with his cabinetmakers. Later, religious persecutions on the continent brought others to England. […]

Louis XV Regional Commode

June 6, 2024October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathSolid Wood, convenient, Louis XV, walnut

This week, a bit of a change of pace with solid wood. It feels good to get the gouges out again and work on walnut for the restoration of this chest of drawers.

Louis XIV Library Display Case

March 14, 2024October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathamaranth, ebony, Boulle marquetry, walnut, Rio Rosewood, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, library display case, 17th century

Restoration of a small Louis XIV period display cabinet inlaid with foliate scrolls in amaranth, ebony, and maple, framed in olive and cherry wood. The marquetry on this piece is known as the Boulle technique, or superimposed marquetry. The cabinet had a significant number of missing veneers. The restoration work therefore consisted of replacing all these missing veneers with scraped and sanded veneer, prepared to the correct thickness before being glued with hot glue. The most interesting task was the reconstruction of one missing piece […]

Regency commode with crowned R

March 8, 2024October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathamaranth, violet wood, Bronzes, convenient, cherry tree, walnut, Rio Rosewood, Veneering - Marquetry, sawn veneer, regency, furniture restoration, French polish, 18th century

Restoration of a Regency commode, probably from southeastern France, on a softwood frame. Its veneer combines yew, plum, rosewood, walnut, cherry, amaranth, violet wood, boxwood, and green-stained maple. Besides its highly unusual marquetry decoration, this commode is also distinguished by its crowned R bronze mounts. The crowned R hallmark should not be confused with the crowned C hallmark. The latter corresponds to a tax levied from 1745 to 1749 on objects made of […]

Directoire Commode

February 14, 2024October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathmahogany, convenient, conservation, directory, walnut, Veneering - Marquetry

Restoration of a curious Directoire commode in solid walnut and walnut, mahogany, and maple veneer, featuring marquetry of a Medici vase and a Louis XIV-inspired ballet dancer, in brass on an ebony ground. The drawers have walnut bottoms with an ebony stringing surmounted by a quarter-round brass and wood molding, surrounded by a mahogany molding. The uprights are three-quarter-fluted columns terminating in toupie feet. The locks are in the shape of trefoils. A conservation project for this […]

Louis XIV commode

August 31, 2023October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathBronzes, Vacuum bonding, convenient, conservation, graft, Louis XIV, walnut, Veneering - Marquetry, polite, furniture restoration, 18th century

Restoration of a Louis XIV period commode veneered in olive burl, ash, and walnut, likely from the Dauphiné region. This type of D-shaped commode, along with the Mazarine commode, is among the very first commodes popularized under Louis XIV. The first French furniture resembling the commode did not appear until around 1700. The oldest known and datable Parisian commodes are those delivered by André-Charles Boulle to Versailles around 1708. Their very simple decorations are inspired by Dutch designs. They are often the work of Protestant cabinetmakers, who were very fond of […]

Hairdresser from Grenoble

January 26, 2023October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathSolid Wood, hairdresser, walnut

Restoration of an 18th-century dressing table from the Grenoble region, crafted from solid walnut with elm, blackened, and green-stained veneers. Before restoration. After restoration. To see previous restorations: https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/

Money changer table

September 8, 2022October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathwalnut, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, money changer table, 17th century

Restoration of a 17th-century money changer's table in solid walnut and walnut and sycamore maple veneer. The marquetry inscription on its top indicates that it comes from Germany: "Trink und iss Gott nit wergiss," meaning "Eat and drink, but do not forget God." It has two drawers, a top, and a sliding extension. An X-shaped stretcher connects its legs. What is a money changer's table? The profession of money changer appeared in the 13th century with the expansion of trade. To keep safe the money exchanged for clients, a piece of furniture was created […]

17th Century Box

July 13, 2022October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathviolet wood, box, walnut, Veneering - Marquetry, polite, furniture restoration, 17th century

Restoration of a small Louis XIV period walnut and violet wood veneer box. Repair of missing veneer, re-gluing of joints, and reconstruction of the drawer and missing interior elements. Polished wax finish. To see previous restorations: https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/en-ce-moment-a-latelier/

Prie-Dieu

June 26, 2021October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathSolid Wood, walnut, 19th century

A first experience and a beautiful piece of work by Rachèle, who restored this late 19th-century walnut prie-dieu. The project was quite daunting. The piece had been neglected for years, and wood-boring insects had had a field day. We first treated it with anoxic agents for 21 days. As nothing was holding together anymore, we disassembled each element, without much difficulty, and then glued it back together with fish glue. We replaced the back legs with new walnut, a top plate […]

Regency chest of drawers

June 5, 2021October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathconvenient, walnut, Rio Rosewood, Veneering - Marquetry, regency, furniture restoration

This small chest of drawers has a classic form typical of the Regency period. It still retains the rigor of the Louis XIV style: the front is curved, the front uprights are rounded, and the sides remain straight. It opens with three drawers. Its uprights and intermediate rails are decorated with brass fluting. The frame is entirely made of fir. The intermediate panels are dovetailed into the sides. The back is made of horizontal planks, nailed with rebates. The drawers are walnut, except for their wooden fronts […]

Cabinet from the late 17th century

April 23, 2020October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathCabinet, walnut, Rio Rosewood, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration

Don't be fooled by the Directoire-style keyhole escutcheons on this cabinet: it clearly dates from the late 17th or early 18th century. These escutcheons are obviously not original. In fact, the piece retains few original features, apart from the drawers, the frame, and the base. The veneer on the front, sides, and top has been altered. It's quite evident that the locks have been changed and the original escutcheons filled in. Its frame is made of solid cherry, fir, and poplar. It is veneered with […]