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Conserving the Past for the Future

A Conservation Tour

Armchair, about 1755: Restoring a 19th-Century Armchair


Armchair
Nicolas Heurtaut (French, 1720-1771)
Armchair, about 1755
Carved and gilded wood, 104.7 x 73 x 79.35 cm
Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin 1989.160

The Gilding of the Chair

Since all of the gesso, bole, and gilt layers were lost, the surface of the chair had to be completely reconstructed. The restoration was not simply a matter of applying new gesso, bole, and gold to the chair. The exact nature of the original surface is not known and its present appearance is a guess at what it looked like originally, based on knowledge of what was customarily done. The expertise was found in Paris; the chair was sent to conservator Jacques Goujon for regilding.
Armchair with upholstery removed
Armchair with upholstery removed



Page 2 of 3 | On the next page: The Upholstering of the Chair