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Wooden Objects

Our clientele and objects range from complicated private and institutional pieces to simple family heirlooms. We repair broken parts, veneers, damaged finishes, and missing metalwork in a manner that allows you to retain the value of your piece.

What is important about our work is the way it is performed. Reparation of broken items is performed whenever possible with original parts, barriers and reversible adhesives. Holes are conserved, degraded glues are removed, and new era-appropriate or reversible glues are used. We create our own or obtain our hide glue from a reputable, conservation-minded, non-commercial source.

If necessary, we replicate missing or failed parts from vintage or reclaimed wood.

We do not strip finishes, which can damage wood and lift veneer, and destroys historical information. Our techniques save the original finish whenever possible, and work with restorative techniques and barriers which are era-appropriate, traditional finish methods or approved conservation products. Barriers are used to protect original finishes as necessary.

We create our own true shellac and resin varnishes, and many of our own waxes. Traditional finishes are often made from organic materials: tree resins, waxes and oils. MPFC takes that a step further and takes care to choose environmentally safe and sustainable products whenever possible, including our choice of earth pigments.

In the practice of antique conservation of traditional finishes, we do not strip finishes, which means that the highly toxic chemicals used in strip shops are not leached into the air nor into the land via dumping on the earth or in the sewage system. Further, we have little to no disposal, as we make what we need for each project so do not have to send cans of excess to the landfill. (For more information on our GREEN practices see our article.)

Additional pages offer information on specific wooden objects:

• Chairs + Rockers + Footstools;
• Tables + Clocks;
• Desks + Cabinets + Chests of Drawers + other Storage items;
• Painted Polychrome + Lacquer Objects;
• 
  Visit the collection of wooden objects at the McLoughlin House.
• Visit the historic Berkey & Gay collection
• Visit the collection of Imperial Monterey Furniture from Crater Lake National Park
• Visit the collection of Mason Monterey furniture at the Oregon Caves National Monument (in process.)