Victorian Nécessaire Box
Commission by Rosie Mills
A lovely Victorian Nécessaire with all original interior.
A lovely Victorian Nécessaire with all original interior.
Part way through the restoration
Originally brought to me to replace the drawer spring, but there are other issues to address:
No key for the lock.
Lock damaged.
Central mother of pearl cartouche loose.
Mother of pearl escutcheon had been re-glued and was proud of the surface.
Two pieces of 1 mm sq. silver stringing missing from the front.
Veneer along the bottom of the front panel damaged, also a piece on the corner of the lid.
Several dividers loose.
No key for the lock.
Lock damaged.
Central mother of pearl cartouche loose.
Mother of pearl escutcheon had been re-glued and was proud of the surface.
Two pieces of 1 mm sq. silver stringing missing from the front.
Veneer along the bottom of the front panel damaged, also a piece on the corner of the lid.
Several dividers loose.
Day 1
Dismantling to remove all brass ware.
Clean and polish brass, repair lock, file down a suitable key and fit a gold tassel.
Dismantling to remove all brass ware.
Clean and polish brass, repair lock, file down a suitable key and fit a gold tassel.
Day 2
Remove, clean out and re-glue the Cartouche & Escutcheon.
Cut, fit and glue in new silver stringing
Remove, clean out and re-glue the Cartouche & Escutcheon.
Cut, fit and glue in new silver stringing
Day 3
Clean up escutcheon & stringing
Remove stip of veneer from bottom of the front panel
Cut two layers of new veneer to match as closely as possible.
Glue and clamp in place
Clean up escutcheon & stringing
Remove stip of veneer from bottom of the front panel
Cut two layers of new veneer to match as closely as possible.
Glue and clamp in place
Day 4
Fit replacement drawer spring
Fit replacement drawer spring
Day 5
Fill losses and allow to dry before rubbing down
Remove baize from base and fit new
Fill losses and allow to dry before rubbing down
Remove baize from base and fit new
Day 6
Staining with Van Dyke (powdered walnut husks) and polishing with pure shellac
Staining with Van Dyke (powdered walnut husks) and polishing with pure shellac
Day 7
The blue ribbon band on the central padded cover replaced and the contents reinstated.
The blue ribbon band on the central padded cover replaced and the contents reinstated.
