marquetry removal

Louis XIII style desk

Mathieu VathLouis XIII, Marquetry, Uncategorized, Veneering - Marquetry, restoration, furniture restoration
Ebénisterie Mathieu VATH

A look back at the restoration of a 17th-century Louis XIII table. It's made of solid walnut, veneered with walnut, ebony, ivory, and boxwood. It had spent a long time in an attic, and its top unfortunately suffered considerably. Much of the veneer was missing. I first removed what little veneer remained. It was very easy: it was completely detached. All I had to do was lift it with a thin blade and it would come right off. I then re-glued the top, adding material where the […]

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Alexandre Morell's Boulle Cartel – Marquetry

Mathieu VathVacuum bonding, Marquetry, Boulle marquetry, furniture restoration
Ebénisterie Mathieu VATH

I reattached the structure, removed the brass, cleaned up the remaining animal glue, and eliminated the traces of superglue and neoprene adhesive. Next came cutting the new pieces of brass and tortoiseshell to fill the gaps. So, as usual, I took an impression of the missing piece. I then glued this paper onto a brass plate, which was itself glued with fish glue to a 4mm plywood base. This made the plate easier to cut. Retrieving the brass piece is simple: […]

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Alexandre Morell's Boulle Cartel

Mathieu VathMarquetry, Boulle marquetry, furniture restoration
Ebénisterie Mathieu VATH

Here is my first client, or patient… whichever you prefer. It's a Boulle marquetry cartel clock in brown tortoiseshell, ebony, and brass. As the photos show, it's not in very good condition. A lot of the brass is missing, and what remains is peeling off everywhere. At first glance, it's always difficult to precisely date a Boulle cartel clock. Moreover, this one doesn't bear a maker's mark. On the other hand, it has corkscrew screws, typical of the 18th century, and few visible tool marks. Yet, I had a hunch it was a copy […]

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