Overview:
This book, originally published in 1910, delves into the art of French Polishing, a technique that revolutionized furniture finishing in the 19th century. It traces the evolution of the process, starting from the early use of beeswax and turpentine to the invention of shellac-based polishes and the subsequent refinements in spirit varnishes. The author, Richard Bitmead, provides comprehensive instructions for polishing different woods, including techniques for improving and matching materials. He covers various styles of polishing, from the traditional high-gloss French polish to the more muted “antique” and “eggshell” finishes.
Beyond polishing, the book explores the art of staining and imitating various expensive woods, such as mahogany, rosewood, walnut, ebony, and oak. It includes recipes for both chemical and natural stains, along with instructions for applying these stains to achieve realistic imitations. The latter half of the book dives into the intricate process of enamelling, a technique used to create smooth, glossy surfaces of various colors on furniture. It details the materials, tools, and procedures for achieving a beautiful and durable enamel finish, which can be further adorned with gilding or other decorative elements.
Key Findings:
- The development of French Polishing dramatically altered the way furniture was finished, offering a superior alternative to wax and oil methods.
- The invention of colorless shellac revolutionized the polishing industry, allowing for transparent finishes that preserved the natural beauty of light-colored woods.
- American polishers developed unique techniques that addressed the challenges posed by extreme temperature fluctuations, resulting in finishes that were more durable and resistant to cracking.
Learning:
- French Polishing: The reader will learn the history and evolution of French Polishing, including the different ingredients used and the techniques for achieving a high-gloss finish, as well as the nuances of applying different types of polishes and varnishes.
- Spiriting-off: This technique involves using spirits of wine to remove any smudges or imperfections on the surface of the polish, resulting in a clear and brilliant finish.
- Antique Finish: The reader will learn how to achieve a dull, muted finish that complements the style of medieval or old English furniture, using wax and turpentine.
- Egg-shell Finish: This technique creates a slightly glossy, yet not overly shiny finish, commonly used for black walnut furniture.
- Staining and Imitating Woods: The reader will discover a range of techniques for staining and imitating various woods, including the use of chemicals, natural ingredients, and mechanical tools. This will enable them to create realistic imitations of expensive woods on less costly materials.
- Mordants: The reader will understand how mordants, such as ox-gall, enhance the color and fix the dye on the wood’s surface.
- Enamelling: The reader will gain knowledge of the intricate process of enamelling, learning the necessary materials, tools, and procedures for achieving a beautiful and durable enamel finish on furniture. They will also learn about decorative techniques for adding gilding or other embellishments.
Historical Context:
The book was published in 1910, during a period of significant technological advancements and industrial growth. This era saw the rise of mass production and the increasing demand for affordable furniture, driving innovation in polishing and staining techniques. The widespread use of shellac-based polishes and the adoption of new varnishes reflect the growing popularity of French Polishing as a standard for furniture finishing.
Facts:
- Early polishing techniques: Before the introduction of French Polishing, furniture was typically polished using beeswax and turpentine or linseed oil.
- First French Polishing Recipe: The original recipe for French Polish, published in the 1820s, used gum sandarach, gum mastic, shellac, and alcohol.
- Colorless shellac: The development of colorless shellac in the 1820s was a major breakthrough in the polishing industry, allowing for transparent finishes on light-colored woods.
- Methylated spirits: The introduction of methylated spirits as a substitute for rectified spirits of naphtha in the 1840s was another important innovation in the production of polishes and varnishes.
- Importance of filling-in: The process of “filling-in” with mixtures like Russian tallow and plaster of Paris is essential for creating a smooth and imporous surface, which improves the quality of the polish.
- American polishing techniques: American polishers developed unique techniques for achieving durable finishes that could withstand extreme temperature changes.
- Japan: This type of varnish, often used in America, is made from shellac, linseed oil, and other ingredients.
- Importance of drying: Allow sufficient time for each coat of polish or varnish to dry thoroughly before applying the next, to ensure a smooth and even finish.
- Enamelling: This technique produces a smooth, glossy surface of various colors, achieving a finish comparable to French polish.
- Enamelling materials: White lead, copal varnish, pumice stone, and rotten stone are essential materials for enamelling.
- Felt rubbers: Felt-covered blocks are crucial tools for rubbing down enamel coats to create a smooth surface.
- Stenciling: Stencil patterns are used to create decorative designs on enamel surfaces.
- Gold size: This special adhesive is used to apply gold leaf or powder to enamel, creating a permanent and durable decoration.
Statistics:
- First French Polish Recipe: This recipe used 14 ounces 2 drachms of gum sandarach, 7 ounces 2 drachms of gum mastic, 14 ounces 2 drachms of shellac, and 3 quarts and 1 pint of alcohol.
- Modern Brown-Hard Varnish: This varnish uses 32 ounces of shellac, 8 ounces of rosin, and 8 ounces of benzoin, dissolved in 1 gallon of methylated spirits.
- White-Hard Varnish: This varnish is made with 32 ounces of bleached shellac and 24 ounces of gum sandarach, dissolved in 1 gallon of methylated spirits.
- Japan of the Best Quality: This recipe uses 3/4 pound of gum shellac, 1 gallon of linseed oil, 1/2 pound each of litharge, burnt umber, and red lead, and 6 ounces of sugar of lead.
- Oil-Colour for Black Walnut: This recipe calls for 3 pounds of burnt umber ground in oil, 1 pound of burnt sienna ground in oil, 1 quart of spirits of turpentine, and 1 pint of brown japan.
Terms:
- French Polishing: A technique using shellac-based polish to achieve a high-gloss finish on furniture.
- Enamelling: The process of creating a smooth, glossy surface of various colors on furniture, usually achieved by layering paint and varnish.
- Filling-in: A process used to fill the pores of wood with a mixture of tallow, plaster of Paris, or other materials, creating a smooth surface for polishing.
- Spiriting-off: A technique for removing smudges or imperfections from the surface of the polish using spirits of wine.
- Antique Finish: A dull, muted finish that complements the style of medieval or old English furniture.
- Egg-shell Finish: A slightly glossy, yet not overly shiny finish.
- Mordant: A chemical substance that enhances the color and fix the dye on the wood’s surface.
- Japan: A type of varnish made from shellac, linseed oil, and other ingredients.
- Shellac: A resinous substance obtained from the lac insect, used as a primary ingredient for polishes and varnishes.
Examples:
- Imitation Mahogany: Beech or birch wood can be treated with aquafortis and heated to create an imitation of aged mahogany.
- Imitation Rosewood: Logwood chips boiled in water and mixed with salt of tartar can be used to stain wood a deep red, which, when further treated with a black stain, creates a convincing imitation of rosewood.
- Imitation Walnut: American pine stained with a mixture of bichromate and carbonate solutions can be used to imitate walnut wood.
- Black Walnut Finishing: The book describes a specific process for achieving a “dead-oil finish” on black walnut furniture, which involves using a combination of shellac, oil, and japan.
- Enamelling: The book gives step-by-step instructions for creating a white enamel finish on furniture, using white lead, copal varnish, pumice stone, and rotten stone.
Conclusion:
This 1910 book offers an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning the art of French Polishing and Enamelling. It provides a detailed account of the history and evolution of these techniques, along with practical instructions for achieving various finishes. From improving the appearance of woods to imitating expensive materials, the book covers a wide range of techniques that would have been highly sought after by furniture makers and enthusiasts during the era of its publication. While some of the materials and methods may be outdated, the book’s core principles remain relevant and offer a fascinating glimpse into the craftsmanship of a bygone era.