Louis XVI style marquetry commode, brought it back to life. Whole thing came apart to do it right.
This is probably the most involved piece weve had in the shop in a good while. French, Louis XVI style marquetry commode. Marble top, gilded brass figures on the corners, cherubs, garlands, and this incredible inlaid marquetry scene on the front that's made of dozens of little pieces of different colored woods fitted together.
First thing, the whole thing came apart. Both drawers out, every solid brass statue and mount taken off and laid out on blankets. You cant do a piece at this level any other way, each material needs a totally different process so you have to separate them all out.
The brass all got stripped, cleaned, polished and then refinished with a lacquer made specifically for brass so it holds. All the veneer and marquetry got repaired and refinished, both drawers too. The base we did by hand with French polish, which is that built up shellac method. Then polished the marble top and did repairs all around.
The fun and the challenge of one like this is your basically four different trades on one piece, brass work, veneer work, French polishing, and stone. Then it all has to go back together and look like it was never touched.