Featured French Vitrine (~1880-90)Project Advice

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by Michael Hopkins, Mar 6, 2020.

  1. Michael Hopkins

    Michael Hopkins New Member

    Hello all. First time poster.

    I have inherited a French Vitrine display cabinet which I believe was made around 1880-90.



    I am hoping to restore it to its former glory.

    The first thing I hope to do is to clean the decorative ormolu which as you can see by the pictures has gone very dark.

    At least I think it is ormolu. What do people think? Can / should it be cleaned? And if so how? I have read about methylated spirit / hot water and dish soap / ammonia.

    Thoughts would be appreciated.
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2020
    Michael Hopkins, Mar 6, 2020
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  2. Jeff Drum

    Jeff Drum Well-Known Member

    Unfortunately your pic(s) aren't displaying. Someone will post instructions soon ...
     
    Jeff Drum, Mar 6, 2020
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  3. Michael Hopkins

    Michael Hopkins New Member

    Can you see now?
     
    Michael Hopkins, Mar 6, 2020
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  4. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Very pretty. Why not just give it a thorough cleaning and call it good?
     
    Ghopper1924, Mar 6, 2020
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  5. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    How restored do you need it? The ormolu is so detailed and right on top of all that veneer(?).

    I like the mood inside! :)
     
    scoutshouse, Mar 6, 2020
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  6. flipper

    flipper Striving to face adversity with tact and humor

    I agree with Ghopper. It is beautiful and looks restored.


    And, in reference to scoutshouse's comment about the mood...oh how I wish (sometimes) I could be a minimalist! If your display tells a story? Then every flat surface in my house is a book of short stories!

    Maybe, that is why you think it needs to be better?;)
     
    flipper, Mar 6, 2020
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  7. Michael Hopkins

    Michael Hopkins New Member

    Thanks for your kind comments everyone! Although I cannot take credit for the display, that was down to my girlfriend!

    I have read that the black iron work would have likely been gold plated when it was made. If not it would have at least been bronze. So I was hoping to clean the metal work to restore the gold / bronze colour.
     
    Michael Hopkins, Mar 7, 2020
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  8. Michael Hopkins

    Michael Hopkins New Member

    Michael Hopkins, Mar 7, 2020
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