Thursday, July 22, 2010

Georgian Corner Washbasin

                                                                                                     This Georgian Mahogany corner washbasin had severe structural damage to the lower shelf and drawer. The tenon joints were shattered from numerous nails being driven into them and were hanging below unable to support the drawer.  The rest of the piece was firmly glued together. Also the top front edge was missing a few inches of veneer. 

The lower shelf area was disassembled completely and new material was attached to the lower rails ends behind the veneer face.  This material was then shaped to fit into the corresponding mortises.  The skinny, flexible nature of the legs enabled me to insert the lower shelf support with its new joints, without having to disassemble the entire piece. The drawer runners and fixed side panels were then reattached using fish glue.  New pieces of mahogany veneer were cut to fill losses on the top front edge.  These new pieces were then toned with Earth pigments and sealed with shellac to match the surrounding area.  The entire piece was then coated with paste wax and buffed.