A craftsman’s guide to reading, respecting and restoring antique furniture

Antique furniture restoration is more than a technical pursuit – it’s a conversation with history. Each piece tells a story fashioned by time, craftsmanship and countless hands. This book invites conservators and woodworkers, amateur or professional, into the nuanced world of furniture conservation, where technique is shaped by an understanding of history, materials and the use for generations to come.

• Discusses the identification, sourcing and appraising of antique furniture, including how to recognise authenticity • Examines the right tools for the job; core tools and some that can be self-made • Explains how to choose the best materials, recipes and timber stocks • Step-by-step guides demonstrate structural repairs, beading reproduction, marquetry replacement and a host of other techniques • Describes the finishing touches, including French polishing, wax, oil and restoring metalwork • Illustrated with over 400 photographs, diagrams and clear drawings

Whether you’re restoring a treasured family heirloom or a museum-quality piece, this book will help you approach your work with clarity, sensitivity and a respect for the past.