Galoot Image Central Pics from the Porch Home :: Login Album list :: Last uploads :: Last comments :: Most viewed :: Top rated :: My Favorites :: Search Home > User galleries > Schwartz > Restoring a Mahogany Bowfront Chest Restoring a Mahogany Bowfront Chest TITLE  +   -  FILE NAME  +   -  DATE  +   -  POSITION  +   -  01_IMG_4263s.jpgFront view with flame mahoghany veneered drawers.336 viewsThe chest is 45-1/2 in. wide, 46-1/8 in. tall and 23 in. deep.Schwartz 02_2011_6851s2.jpgBottom of carcase showing construction details102 viewsBottom panel is about 1/2 in. thick. Its margins were built up with 3/8 in. of secondary wood, and the two were dovetailed to the sides. Very frugal use of material. Holes near the four corners of the base corresponded to dowels in the top of the missing stool upon which, I believe, the chest originally stood. Schwartz 03_2011_6852s.jpgChest bottom detail.184 viewsThe bottom assembly is lap-dovetailed into solid Mahogany sides, which are under 1/2" thick. Interior blocking provides thickness for the dovetails.Schwartz 04_IMG_4297s.jpgChest foot - 1 of 4161 viewsI'm quite certain these feet are not original to the chest, but a Victorian 'improvement'. They were attached with screws too short to provide adequate support to withstand sideways dragging. Schwartz 05_IMG_0005s.jpgStructural top of the chest170 viewsHidden rails support the sides and top, which was simply nailed on from above.Schwartz 06_IMG_0025s.jpgTop nails152 viewsCut nails approx. 2.5 in. long, apparently original to the piece, used to attach the top to the underlying framework. Note the toothing blade trails on the underside of the top.Schwartz 07_IMG_0003s.jpg128 viewsUnderside of top, showing nails in place and 'packing out' with secondary wood inserted to allow economical use of mahogany and prevent cross-grain stress.Schwartz 08_IMG_0010s.jpgDetail of structural top.120 viewsShows jointing method and packing out of sides with secondary wood.Schwartz 09_IMG_0011s.jpgDetail of structural top, showing rear corner joint.114 viewsPhoto distorts the corner, which is square.Schwartz 10_IMG_0013s.jpgDetail of structural top, showing front corner joint.107 viewsThe nails securing the top bit into the dovetails below, rather than the pins. Schwartz 11_IMG_0014s.jpg108 viewsNailing into the dovetail tends to spread the dovetail, strengthening the joint. Nailing into the pins could result in splits to the mahogany side.Schwartz 12_IMG_4294s.jpgGhost of missing columns.108 viewsThe underside of the 'ears' at the front corners of the top show that columns once stood at the front corners of the chest. The columns were 'engaged', having a flat cut on the back. They were attached to the front corners with hidden 3/8 inch dowel pins, the remnants of which remain. They likely rested on a 'stool' with ears or a deeper base, but that's missing too.Schwartz 31 files on 3 page(s) 1 2 3 Powered by Coppermine Photo Gallery and JoomBla!