poli Archives • Ébénisterie Mathieu Vath

Regency Games Table

May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 Mathieu Vathamaranth, Veneering - Marquetry, regency, games table

Restoration of a Regency period games table converted into a desk, resting on four cabriole legs. It is veneered with thick amaranth leaves and opens with two drawers (called "chétrons") on the sides and a removable top (locked by a push-button mechanism) covered in dark leather on its facing and a checkerboard veneered in ebony and inlaid with ivory on the reverse. When the top is removed, it reveals a backgammon set in ebony and ivory. The molded astragal surrounding the top is made of solid amaranth wood. The legs and stretchers are made of beech, the […]

Money changer table

September 8, 2022September 8, 2022 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. This table originates from Germany, as indicated by the marquetry inscription on its top: "Trink und iss Gott nit wergiss," which translates as "Drink and eat, but do not forget God." It consists of two drawers, a top, and a sliding extension leaf; the legs are joined by an X-shaped stretcher. What is a money changer's table? The profession of money changer emerged in the 13th century, following the expansion of trade. […]

17th Century Box

July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 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 XV corner cabinet

June 15, 2022June 23, 2022 Mathieu Vathcorner, Marquetry, Rio Rosewood, Veneering - Marquetry, sawn veneer, polite, furniture restoration, 18th century

Restoration of a Louis XV corner cabinet in marquetry of various woods (maple, hornbeam, boxwood, and holly). Except for the green leaves, the colors of some flowers and ribbons have faded. This marquetry is executed on a rosewood background framed by a boxwood stringing and a rosewood frieze. The frame of this corner cabinet is made of solid oak assembled with dovetail joints. Condition report: As you can see in the following photos, the surface of the varnish was heavily sun-faded, the glues of the marquetry on the doors were in […]

Louis XVI commode

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

This week, we're restoring a Louis XVI commode with a projecting front, veneered in Rio rosewood, amaranth, and violet wood, with marquetry stringing in boxwood and ebony forming a ribbon wrapped around the wood, the background of the engravings filled with red wax. The tapered legs and canted uprights have faux fluting in ebony and boxwood. There's no maker's mark to attribute this beautiful piece and the high quality of wood chosen for its construction. Regarding the restoration, the work isn't very […]

Polite as he may be

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 Mathieu Vathpolite, furniture restoration

Here's a short but very informative video on polishing. This finishing method was applied to the tool cabinet. https://ebenisterie-mathieuvath.fr/2019/02/19/armoire-a-outils/

Tool cabinet – End

April 3, 2019May 31, 2021 Mathieu VathCopy of an old, Creation, Marquetry

And there you have it, it's finished and ready to use. All the tools are in their proper place. All that's left is to find bronze fittings for the handles and keyhole escutcheons. For the finishing technique, I used the same one applied to furniture of that period: polishing. I first scraped the surface, then sanded it with 150-grit sandpaper. Next, I applied Venetian tripoli mixed with olive oil using a piece […]