A local Amish cabinet shop called me for advice this week. They’ve done some work for me in the past and know I might be familiar with “the old ways…” 😀 Their client has purchased three antique carved panels (ca. 1860) to be installed with new trim in a Great Room:

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A fourth panel is needed, so they purchased some “reclaimed” oak (more on that later…) and found a local carver. They would like some advice on finishing the new panel so it looks like the old panel. A common request, no? Of course, I am reluctant to mess with what appears to be a fine French Wall Panel (Boiserie) without asking around… Help!

First, if I had to reproduce one of these, I’d want to start with the same wood. I’m guessing that it’s Brown Oak, quercus robur, from the color and the thickness of the growth rings (3/32″ to 1/8″ strong). Although “French” Brown Oak might seem like the obvious choice, it supposedly has more defects than I see in this panel (i.e., more knots, pips and checks)… I’d probably order some “English” Brown Oak, also quercus robur.

Now back to the wood they bought: The shop located some “reclaimed” QSWO and shelled out some bucks, but when it arrived, it looked like reg’lar ole QSWO. No nail holes, no stains… just rough lumber. Maybe a little greyer than usual. After a few phone calls, the supplier said it was harvested from “old standing timber,” whatever the heck that is. Sounds like a dead oak tree that hadn’t fallen over and rotted yet. :/ I told them to get their money back (less shipping, probably) and order the right stuff. He only needs about 20BF for a 22″x85″ finished size.

View Image These panels are not a “centerpiece,” so the finish should be similar, or at least not “clash” with the rest of the trim. Here’s a color sample for the new trim:

I think it’s a water-based satin finish with a white glaze. There are three “amounts” of the glaze: a little, a lot, and some (left-to-right). 😉 The client has chosen “some.” So….

Question 1: Is Brown Oak the way to go, or will they be able to match the QSWO to the old panels and the new trim color?

Perhaps not as important, but I’m curious…

Question 2: what would the original finish would have been?

In 1860, I’m guessing that it might have been shellaced and waxed. BLO, too? I can find no evidence of paint in any of the carving crevices. I think you can see a little white filler left in the pores:

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…if you can ignore the glaringly new patch, that is… 😉 Perhaps the white flecks are evidence of french polishing? Here’s another patch, but I think it’s original and was used to increase the height of the acanthus rib:

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The second issue is the 1/4″ split in the panel. Here’s the back:

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There are two tapered & dovetailed battens let in to a matching dado. I assumed that only the center was glued, but after examing the panel at the ends of the batten…

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…I think it was designed to split. 🙁 After the batten was driven in, the ends were sawed off at the panel edges. Then a 1/4″ strip was glued to the edge of the panel, covering the ends of the batten. Why?!? Obviously, the panel shrank, and the batten pushed against the strip, splitting the panel. So….

Question 3: Should the split be repaired, and if so, how?

I would probably use a handsaw to cut the batten through the split, separating the panel into two pieces. Then I’d joint new edges, including across the embedded batten ends. Next I’d use a hide glue rub joint to reassemble the panel. After it dries, I’d route a 6″-long dado or two in the batten and insert a strip (or two) to reinforce the edge joint in the batten. Finally, I’d cut the 1/4″ strip at the panel edge so the batten has room to protrude if the panel shrinks any more. Any other ideas? Other concerns?

Boy, that was a long one. Thanks for your help!
/dev

P.S.  Anybody know why the embedded images (IMG SRC= tags) don’t work?  Sigh.