The oak is worked beautifully yet is covered in two or three layers of paint and varnish for which I have no explanation. This type of scumble was used in quite a few of Pugin’s convents to cover up the pitch pine furniture and panelling ..a sort of faux oak..but here it gets in the way. Once removed the timber revealed is sharp and crisp with great character..one small piece in the images section shows the detail..this was amongst accompanying fragments from the same room and has been stripped using a caustic soda bath.
Caustic alkalis damage the cellulosic fibres of the wood causing what some might call irreversible damage, others a brand new look. With regards to the conservation of worked hardwoods caustic based paint strippers should never be used ..they erode and discolour…but that might be the look you are trying to achieve…as they are or in the raw..they are very good indeed.
Height: 242cm
Width: 74cm
Depth: 9cm
