Featured Small 18th century painted iv.. box, yellowed varnish.

After my success in removing heavily yellowed varnish on an antique Vernis Martin box, I found another one who needed the same cleaning\kyratisation.
This one is small at 5,4cm or 2" diameter.
I love both scenes decorating front and back and the charming blue decor on the side

As the other one, I prefer not varnishing it again, it will live in a cabinet

 

So pretty.

 

What a transformation! In its original state I couldn't even tell the sides were blue. Beautiful job, as always.

 

So small and beautiful. You did an amazing job and now it will survive another 200 years!

 

How did you know it was original to the 1700s?

 

Beautiful!!!

 

Spectacular restoration, kyra! Colors are so vibrant. Gorgeous

 

As ALWAYS, Simply AMAZING and GORGEOUS!!!!! LOVE the restored colors!!!!!!!! Aren't there any NON-yellowing types of 'flat' varnish/or finishes out there????? OOOOH! Looks like there are! Just Googled!

https://abutterflyhouse.com/the-best-wood-finishes-that-dont-yellow/

Scroll about 1/2 way down....looked more interesting!!!

 

Beautiful as always!

 

Great job, as always kyra. Love that Gustavian blue which you brought back to life.
Looking at the ladies' clothing, what little we can see, I wonder if it is early 19th century? Of course you've had your nose to that lovely surface (so to speak) so you have had a better view.

 

Thank you Pearl!

Amazing how a yellowed thick varnish can cover original colors and details! After the first successful attempt, I was confident it would be glorious again... Thank you!

Thank you, I hope so too

Thank you Marie!

Thank you Sabre! I love the colors revealing during the process

 

The style and technique, Vernis Martin on ivory, are typical. The heavy yellowing too.
@Any Jewelry
What is puzzling is the subject of the front decor: two women driving a 3 horses coach, with luggages on the roof, traveling in a pittoresque landscape. Plus their attire looking rather 19th century!
I think it can be explained by the fact they are wearing travel dresses in more casual English fashion?
I can’t imagine this 18th style blue decor in 1850.
Thank you for pointing!

 

Thank you Aqui!

The fact the colors are water based is a big hazard for using an acrylic varnish. I prefer to let it as is, till I cross the path of a true painting restorer instead of risking a wreck

 

Maybe these 18th French « à l’Anglaise » dresses?
https://gallica.bnf.fr/blog/11032020/la-mode-anglomane-au-18eme-siecle

 

Hmmmmm, but the varnish protected the paint from damage, sunlight for example, what protects it now?

 

My dark cabinet...

 

Yes, could be, maybe a little later in the 18th, with narrower hats.

 

as good a protector as any........while u stand guard ...of course !!!!

 

Maybe they're running away??

 

I LOVE your theory!