Recently we restored a late Ming dynasty square table from Shanxi province. Beautiful table and I thought it might be interesting to show the images of the cleaning process occurs which primarily involves a careful wet sand. Known in Chinese as 打水磨, its a unavoidable part of any antique restoration. What a nasty mess! Removing about […]
Patina
This antique crackle finish is actually brand new.
Looks can be deceiving & in the case with this Chinese distressed console table, it appears as if its come right a tomb yet, is in fact brand new.
Another cracked laquer effect

Another type of cracked lacquer does not require the use of sheets of fabric. First a layer of “nizi” – a kind of adhesive, is spread evenly over the surface of the furniture, preferably brushing on a thicker coat of “nizi” rather then a thin one. The adhesive is then left to air dry for a short period […]