Curio Restoration

Manufactured in 1898, this elegant Robert Mitchell antique Secretary Desk Curio was in need of some attention to restore it to its former beauty. Constructed from mahogany, birds eye maple, and clear maple, there was a lot of structural damage to the back of the cabinet, the desk front had been exposed to the elements, and the glue joints had separated. The hardware and locks, while original, no longer functioned properly.

The drawers and shelving were completely disassembled, cleaned, sanded and re-stained. Rotted wood sections were rebuilt. The leafing details were repaired by sculpting new leafing around the mirror sections. Much of the gingerbread was rebuilt so that it would properly fit into its original place within the construct. The hardware was reworked and oiled with new keys found to make all of the locks on the drawers and cabinet doors smoothly functional. A new fold-down desk front was manufactured out of the old one with some new inlay and repair work done to the marquetry on the front. Everything was then given a thorough sanding with steel wool and resealed with multiple coats of varnish.

This piece has endured through two world wars and the Great Depression; it was built before the Titanic sank and was being used before Arizona became a state. It was an honor to restore this beautiful, intricate piece in a way that will allow it to be used for many more generations.