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October 6, 2010
French Antique Furniture Hardware Currently For Sale On eBay
US $26.88
French Antique Furniture Hardware
French Polish Wood Furniture: Pros and Cons
French polishing has always had a certain romance about it. Antique dealers speak of French polishing as if it represents the pinnacle of finishing mastery. Ive been told by more than one antique dealer that the secrets of French Polishing are held by a select few and that it is a difficult skill to master.
Finishers who are skilled in French Polishing find these statements amusing. The truth is that French Polishing can be learned in a few hours with supplies available at any hardware store. Plus, once an understanding of French Polishing is acquired, the student will discover why French Polishing was used in the first place and why it is no longer used to finish furniture. Modern refinishers will tell you that French Polishing makes for a very beautiful but very bad finish.
French Polishing Fundamentals
French Polishing is a process used to apply a coat of liquid shellac (shellac mixed with alcohol) onto wood. A ball of wool wrapped in closely-woven cotten or linen is used to apply the shellac. Shellac is poured into the pad, absorbed by the wool, and squeezed out as the pad is moved across the surface of the wood. The skill in French polishing is to apply the shellac evenly, leaving no pad marks. Depth of finish is achieved by repeatedly applying thin coats of shellac. The wood grain can be filled by sprinkling pumice onto the wood's surface prior to applying a coat of shellac. It is helpful to apply a little mineral spirits to the pad to keep it lubricated and help keep the finish smooth.
Wouldn't It Be Easier To Use a Brush?
If you've ever painted your house, you know that brushes leave brush marks. Even today, modern spray and application systems will leave an uneven surface. Brushes and sprayers distort the liquid finish; after application, the surface must be leveled. Modern finishes can be levelled and polished using abrasives and sandpaper.The result of the abrasive rubbing process is called a hand-rubbed finish. Sandpaper fine enough and consistent enough to achieve a hand-rubbed finish was not available until the late 19th century. Three hundred years ago, French polishing was the only way to get a beautiful finish onto a piece of furniture.
Why French Polishing Is No Longer In General Use
French Polish finishes are very beautiful but not very durable. Shellac scuffs easily, and is sensitive to heat, cold, and moisture. Most of the old wives tales about never placing drinking glasses on furniture were developed over hundreds of years of dealing with shellac finishes. If one prefers the look of a shellac finish, there are better ways than French polishing to apply shellac. French Polishing takes a long, long, time to build up significant layers of finish. Allowing for dry time between coats, one could spend an entire day French Polishing the top of the average sized coffee table. Brushing or spraying on the shellac and then hand rubbing the same surface the job could be completed in about two hours.
Its Not Even French
The romance of French polishing will likely remain, especially in the antiques trade. After all, anything French is considered to be artsy-craftsy. I dont have the heart to tell antique dealers that French polishing isnt even French; it was developed by the Chinese about 7,000 years ago.
About the Author
Wayne Jordan has been a restorer of pianos and antique furniture for over 30 years. His restoration work can be found in the VMI Museum, the Maryland Governor's Mansion, and fine homes throughout the Mid Atlantic states. He is a Certified Personal Property Appraiser and Auctioneer. Visit his website at http://www.waynejordanauctions.com and his blog at http://www.wayne-jordan.blogspot.com
Antique French Provincial (19th Cent) oak kneehole desk
French Antique Furniture Hardware Currently For Sale On eBay.
Another great place to shop for French Antique Furniture Hardware products is Amazon.
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Briwax Central Br-1-db Paste Wax 1lb - Dark Brown Sale Price: $11.78  |
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Briwax is a solvent based blend of beeswax and carnauba wax. Briwax has long been recognized by furniture restoration professionals as a premiere, multi-purpose furniture wax. It produces a lustrous patina, not a glossy surface shine... |
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Crystal Antique Replica Surface Mount Single Dummy/French Door Knob Set List Price: $39.95 Sale Price: $27.95 |
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Style 1919eORB-SD Oil Rubbed Bronze hardware 2-1/2" Rosette and Depression Crystal Interior Door Knob. This listing is for 12 point fluted Surface Mount Depression Crystal Glass Dummy Knobs at $25.95 each... |
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Vintage Green Glass Melon Cabinet Knobs, Drawer Pulls & Handles 4pc ~ Style #K11 Shabby Chic French Style Green Melon Glass Knobs with Antique Hardware Sale Price: $16.80 |
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Use the green glass ball melon cabinet knobs, drawer pulls and handles on cupboards, kitchen drawers & bathroom cabinets, shutters, vanities & dressers. Both beautiful and durable, the vintage chic glass knobs are made from recycled glass, individually hand-molded in a cast iron mold and flame-polished by professional glassworkers... |
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Campaign Portable TV Stand and Media Center Sale Price: $1,749.85 |
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Campaign Portable TV Stand and Media Center. Entertainment and mobility in style. There will be days you might just want to wheel the campaign console to the master bedroom for a 24-hour retreat. Mother-in-law caring for the kids and dishes... |
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