Hi All, I'm completely new to antiques, never really had any connection with them, until recently. I have an antique looking chair which is very precious to my wife to be (we are getting married in 2017). The chair was in a very bad state and I decided to give her a unique wedding present, I reupholster/refurbish the old armchair. So I have just over a year to make something very special for her, with my hands (rather than dave it done by a professional upholsterer). I managed to remove the old fabric and stripped the chair until its frame and I will be starting to work on it soon. It's obvious that someone did some basic maintenance on it, still the chair itself needs a lot of TLC. Photos can be seen here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o5ezfnu5vqvvfnr/AACDsOPHQE7UL3R2RBO8ypFna?dl=0 I know it's an insane project, but I really would like to do this for her, I think it would be a great and very memorable present. Regards, Ben
Hi Ben and welcome to the forum. It looks a nice chair but I believe you will have your work cut out, it appears to have been heavily infested with woodworm sometime in the past. I have known items like that to just crumble from the inside out. I would make sure it is solid and stable before attempting any restoration.
Personally, I would either take it to or send the pictures to a reputable either museum or furniture restorer.....let them know what YOU want to do and why.....I think they will give you some guidance as to whether the chair can be safely restored AND how to proceed. I think it's a lovely idea to want to do that for your bride to be!!! Best wishes!!!! And I hope you get good news on your project!! AND WELCOME to this Forum....GREAT place to learn from a GREAT bunch of antiquers!!!!
I love the chair. I do see signs of woodworm and, like Davey, think you need to have someone familiar with wood look at it.
