On the Maintenance and Restoration of the Furniture of the Elaginoostrovsky Palace

Abstract

Using an analysis of archival documents, this article considers methods of preserving items of furniture decoration during operation throughout the 19th century. The process of selecting craftsmen for producing works on the preservation of furniture in proper condition on the basis of tenders is described. A description of the trading conditions is given. The basic methods of furniture finishing are revealed. A method of furniture surface treatment, named “with strong vodka” is described. It was the method of the surface treatment of the furniture with the nitric acid solution followed by heating of the surface. This method had been rather often used in the furniture making in the first half of the 19th century. Also there are presented documents that allow you to see the attitude towards upholstery and upholstery materials. Among these methods could be met replacement of the upholstery fabric, using of the back side for the facial surface, cutting of the old curtains for the upholstery of the furniture and some others, including a moire tip when repainting fabrics. The interiors of the palace were not rebuilt during the 19th century, however, the furniture required constant repairs and the introduction of new items into the interior, if necessary. Also, the above documents show how the interiors were equipped with furniture that came from furniture craftsmen or a furniture warehouse. The above materials reveal a picture of a very difficult life of an object in time, and also introduces documents into scientific circulation that make it possible to make clarifications in the attribution of furniture items.