Most modern woodworkers share a profound admiration for the high
skill level of those 18th-century furniture makers whose work
has survived. But what about their finishing skills and the
finishes they used? What do we know about these? Unfortunately,
we don’t know a lot from the objects that have survived in
museums, antique stores and private collections. Original stains
and finishes, in the rare instances where they have been left
untouched, have faded, dulled and crazed to the point that the
wood is often difficult to see. In most cases, original finishes
have been overcoated or the furniture stripped and refinished.
Our sources are largely limited to paper documentation such as
account books, receipts, newspaper ads, probate records,
shipping manifests and some surviving writings providing
instructions. These give a pretty clear picture that the most
desirable look furniture makers were trying to achieve was a
highly reflective gloss, unlike the soft satin appearance so
popular today. How did 18th century