Restoration of a fire damaged, late 18th century French carved oak Buffet Deux Corps.

I’m restoring several fire, smoke and water damaged pieces for a very nice couple. Sadly their warehouse had a huge fire a few weeks ago, so I’m restoring their most personally loved pieces.

This being the first. If I could, I’d do all for free. Life doesn’t always deal out the best hand…

I wonder if it’s possible to create a “go fund me” for them? They lost their entire lifelong business including building and all stock.

Notice the kissing love birds to the shaped pediment, quite suited to this very close couple.

They represent, Marital Bliss & Fidelity: these carvings were typical on armoires and buffet deux corps, often gifted to newlyweds resembling a “love nest” signifying romantic dedication and the creation of family.

Well over a week restoring this piece, enjoyed every minute of this.

A few before and after photos.
Note, it’s very important never to over restore important pieces. Stripping and re polishing is the easy way to restore anything, except with pieces I sell and restore for others, this is very rarely done.
Slowly cleaning through the waxes, polishes, varnishes and lacquers applied over the centuries, reveals a surface and usually a very valuable faded colour that’s completely removed if stripped!
In this case far harder and even more time involved, but the same end result achieved…