On the History of Artistic Finishes of Russian Furniture of the 19th Century

Abstract

The article is devoted to the technologies of the finishing works of furniture in the second half of the 19th century. During this period, the imitation of expensive wood, using cheaper woods, became a common practice. The most popular method was the imitation of walnut wood. This finishing was used both for palace furniture and pieces of furniture made by craftsmen. Numerous handbooks published instructions that were used for the imitation of expensive materials. The analysis of the instructions published, revealed their frequent repeatability. The research, which took place during restoration work, made it possible to describe some of them. Particularly noteworthy is the information about the technology of carving furniture in the forms of Second Rococo, in the finishing layer. Such decoration was used in new pieces of furniture as well as in old furniture from the period of Classicism, which were found in eclectic interiors. The furniture of the period under review, as well as architecture, for a long time had been considered to be second-class art. This opinion is not unfounded, however, a qualitative assessment of furniture from this period should be made. Many examples of eclectic furniture reflected the tastes of their time and the level of knowledge about the original historical styles. The material and technologies of imitated finishes as well as eclecticism itself, underwent changes over time. At its initial phase, there was a craze for walnut cutting, in the 1880s ebony wood, and mahogany in the beginning of the 20th century. Nevertheless, walnut cutting was associated with the manufacturing of furniture until the beginning of the 20th century. The furniture is very important to us as an example of the views and taste of this period, though not all of them can be considered to be masterpieces. During the restoration work, the finishing layer was often destroyed. As a result, it is very important to save the examples of finishes “under the walnut wood”.