cire Archives • Ébénisterie Mathieu Vath

Wedding wardrobe from Bayeux with swans

October 30, 2025October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathCupboard, Solid Wood, oak, furniture restoration

Lightening the finish on a Bayeux wedding armoire. It is distinguished by its motifs of swans, figures, and hunting and musical attributes. Made of quarter-sawn oak, also known as "merrain," it comes from the Caen plain and dates from the first half of the 19th century. We lightened the wax finish to remove the multiple layers of tinted wax that darkened the entire piece. This work revealed the magnificent honey-blond hue of the oak and enhanced the exceptional carving of […]

Augsburg Cabinet, 17th century

September 12, 2025October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathCabinet, Marquetry, Veneering - Marquetry, polite, furniture restoration, 17th century

Restoration of a small table cabinet (height 14.3 cm, width 17.3 cm, depth 13 cm), likely a traveling model. It is made of solid wood, with intarsia decoration on all sides. A drop-front conceals eight drawers; in fact, the bottom drawer simulates two. Its composition is very rich, combining eight different wood species. The frame is made of fir, and cherry for the visible parts. Large central panels of sycamore maple are inlaid. Around these, bands of plum wood frame them, then a fillet of […]

Art Nouveau desk with Primroses by Louis Majorelle

October 4, 2024October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathArt Nouveau, Desk, Veneering - Marquetry, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration

Restoration of an Art Nouveau desk stamped by Louis Majorelle, made in Nancy around 1905. Crafted from solid walnut, it is decorated with primrose marquetry. The work involved replacing some missing veneer, cleaning the piece, and restoring its waxed finish. Louis Majorelle was born in September 1859 in Toul and died in January 1926 in Nancy, at the age of 66. Son of the renowned furniture maker Auguste Majorelle, he developed an early interest in craftsmanship and drawing. He then entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Nancy, […]

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.

Money changer's office

November 11, 2022October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathDesk, Veneering - Marquetry, 17th century

A few weeks ago, I introduced you to a money changer's table. Well, here's its successor: the money changer's desk. Inspired by the eight-legged desks more commonly known as "Mazarin desks," the money changer's desk is a smaller version. Often transported, it must protect the valuables it contains. Through its marquetry and more or less elaborate veneers, it also displays the prosperity of its owner. For those interested in the origins of these pieces of furniture and the money changer's profession, I […]

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/

Louis XVI commode

December 20, 2021October 27, 2026 Mathieu Vathamaranth, rosewood, violet wood, Bronzes, convenient, Louis XVI, Rio Rosewood, Veneering - Marquetry, furniture restoration, 18th century

This week, we restored a Louis XVI commode with a projecting front, veneered in Rio rosewood, amaranth, rosewood, and violet wood. Boxwood and ebony stringing forms a coiled ribbon, with engravings filled in red wax. Finally, the tapered feet and canted uprights feature faux fluting in ebony and boxwood. However, no stamp allows us to attribute this very fine piece, crafted from high-quality wood. The restoration required little work. In fact, a colleague was already […]

Louis Philippe Buffet

September 17, 2021October 27, 2026 Mathieu VathSolid Wood, buffet, Louis Philippe, cherry tree, furniture restoration

For a change of pace this week, a bit of what's called "rustic" furniture. It's a welcome change from veneer, and to be honest, it's not unpleasant. I'm even quite pleased to have this kind of piece to restore because, unfortunately, many of these pieces, having lost their market value, end up in the landfill or are simply burned. Moreover, these aren't pieces that require a huge amount of work. For this Louis Philippe two-part sideboard, the restoration consisted of replacing the chestnut planks […]