KimBuckminster writes:
I will start with the black leather Turkish rocker.
This is a very accurate restoration, but not a perfect job. The only
straying was in the use of black leather over brown. (it had been
recovered, but original tag was in tact) I used staples instead of
tacks in some areas. (tacks wouldn't have hurt it) The gimp was
vinyl, but beyond these points, a good restoration. It dates from 1918.
Have you ever seen the guts to a chair like this?
I wish I had the pics that show the guts. There are springs on the
arms, in the wings, across the headrest. All of it is hand stitched
with flax string. There are more stitches in that than a Dr. does in
his career... In my frustration working this, I found that you must
work for every square inch. Note the filling picture with my hand.
The green mohair Eastlake is the favorite of my chair collection.
You can't see it from these pics, but it is a hand-made piece.
The legs are turned a bit differing in size, the carving is without
question hand-cut.
All of the imperfections in this one are the details that charm me.
My work is accurate in technique, but not the fillers.
Just what is this grass-looking stuff?
I doubt the mohair was correct, but I like it. Mohair of this sort is
not a wise choice when there is a white cat in the family. "Annie"
is such a sweetheart tho... This chair was left outdoors and was
very grey. It was quite fortunate the veneer hadn't let go more than
an edge here and there. The original casters were on it, but the
guy that GAVE me this chair said he may find the missing one.
It is around the house, he thought. I resorted to putting on
reproductions after waiting a year for him to turn it up.
Both were off when I took the photo.
This job took about 175 hours which includes some back-tracking.
I hit a snag on a wing and ate a day or so of labor.