Andrew A. Matthews Restoration
These particular chairs once formed part of a much larger set, believed to be in excess of 30, bequeathed to The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
Constructed from Beech-wood throughout the panel on the curved back rail was veneered in Rosewood and featured a decorative brass inlay.
The hand woven cane seats most probably would have had small fairly thin and light squab cushions held in place with ties to make sitting a more comfortable experience.
Beech-wood although very strong and relatively easy to work does not have an attractive appearance and to this end was finished in a very popular specialised paint technique generally known as wood grainingand in particular in this case, as faux bois or false wood.
This is the technique of decorating wood surfaces with paints, varnishes, dyes etc to simulate another timber; usually those of exotic origins, in this case Rosewood.
Due to severe surface water damage AAMR was commissioned to conserve the existing finish where possible and then recreate the original Rosewood faux bois where missing, using traditional techniques & materials.
Images by kind permission of the client.