Fine Old Furniture

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 267, 1 February 1928, Page 7

Fine Old Furniture

Intelligent Treatment FIXJi old furniture, with its enchanting echoes of the romance and dignity of bygone days, strikes a deep, responsive chord in the imagination. The mellowing and ripening which gives distinction to the original beauty of a choice piece of furniture depends on the care with which it is cherished as it takes on its owner’s personality through constant use and association. The lines remain unchanged, but intelligent treatment not only preserves, but adds softer glow and greater charm to their velvety surfaces.

Woods of different grain need vary - ing treatments. Oil, wax and stain were all used in past centuries, and the finishes on the fine pieces made - to-day are the great-grandchildren of the old guildsmen’s processes. The preservation of these fine surfaces rests on the fact that the pores of The wood were fed with some sort of penetrating and preserving compound which protects the grain and prevents the deadening and drying out seen in many of the old pieces which have lost their original stain or oil. The after-care of furniture depends on knowledge of what was used for this filling substance. To add one’s own touch to the beauty of a fine piece a* it passes through our hands is first of all a simple daily affair of brushing off grit with a soft brush and wiping it carefully with a lint-free cloth. If it does seem necessary to wash the surface periodically.

cool water and a mild white soap will do no harm if done bit by bit, rinsing fincP drying each part at once. This will remove surface dirt from any finish except a waxed one. which may be cleaned with turpentine or gasoline sparingly applied. The most common errors made In caring for fine furniture are: L'sing too much wax on polish, and applying it to a dusty surface. Tho rubbeddown varnish needs no surface treatment, though the line old French polish on museum pieces is often protected by a mixture of beeswax and turpentine well rubbed in. The turpentine is heated and as much hot wax added as it will take up. For a more highly finished varnish an old purveyor of fine pieces mixes three parts of crude oil and one part benzine, rubbed on with cheese cloths which destroys as soon : s tiu work is completed.—House and Garden.