1860's Armoire

Here's that wonderful armoire. 
As I may have mentioned before, this fascinating old gentleman introduced an interesting challenge. Initially a decision had to be made about how to address the problematic deterioration to the cabinet's exterior finish. Because it is so big it sat in an open carport for several years! Working with an antique like this I carefully discuss issues contributing to its value. For example, I want to avoid sabotaging its real value for a future appraiser or collector. If I apply 21st century refinishing materials and techniques to a mid-18th century antique--well, that would be a BIG no-no!  Similarly, I want to know what my customer's expectations really are: maybe they want a contemporary look?  This customer wanted to retain the piece's historical integrity as best we could possibly make that happen.

 Then I ran into a curious issue inside the cabinet. Close examination of the case confirmed something my customer had suggested: this old armoire was originally engineered so it would come conveniently apart. It was then fabricated so it could be disassembled in one location, taken piece-by-piece through narrow hallways or up to a second floor, and then it could be reassembled. But.....someone had more recently added the set of interior shelves you see in the picture, left. That craftsman permanently attached the shelves frame to the cabinet's front and back panels. Consequently, the armoire's cabinet was no longer able to be disassembled for easy transport.

I proposed a solution that could regain the cabinet's original design dynamic. We removed and modified the shelves and made them compatibly collapsible with the surrounding cabinet. That solution worked splendidly.

We discussed what to do with the unsalvageable exterior finish. It was completely destroyed by weather exposure--except for its crowning cornice (which stands a full seven feet above the floor, protected from rain and snow). We decided a hard oil (linseed type--no stain!) finish on this (mostly) walnut cabinet was also contemporary to the 1860's. It's use similarly simplifies cabinet care and maintenance for my customer. (Many coats of oil and hand rubbing produced what you see in the pictures.)

We took advantage of the armoire's newly regained collapse-ability. When I returned it to my customer it happily went home in pieces and was stored temporarily for future reassembly in an appropriate spot. Is that cool or what! 

That's Wood Talkin for today. Keep listening--'cuz wood talks!