Restoring Australian Red Cedar Furniture

This species has great rot and decay resistance.

Restoring australian red cedar furniture.

Peter gibbs was born in newcastle in 1953. I have an australian red cedar dining table circa 1890 and the top is showing signs of wear and tear. Antique colonial red cedar desk a superb example of australian red cedar colonial furniture circa 1870 s please note a fully detailed valuation will be available to the purchaser this kneehole cedar desk features a twin pedestal base with panelled sides there is a drawer and cupboard to each pedestal flanking a centre drawer the top has the original leather insert and curved backboard. A similar example is illustrated in nineteenth century australian furniture fahy simpson plate 542.

Rose mahogany along with australian red cedar and central american mahogany belongs to the meliaceae family and was rarely used after the middle of the 1800s for furniture. Because of its natural ability to resist rot mildew and insects cedar can be finished in various ways. Hand turned inverted finials sold. Exterior cedar furniture left untreated naturally.

Timber furniture with a clear finish that shows the grain has a timeless appeal although the dings and blemishes that build up over the years can be conspicuous. How to sand and stain cedar furniture. For the greater part of his working life he has been carrying on a hunter valley tradition of bespoke furniture making that goes back to early colonial days when red cedar grew plentifully in the area. Shaped back board a handle at each end turned bobbin twist supports serpentine shaped lower shelf.

There are approximately eight trees in the usa that are commonly referred to as cedar. It grows in the coastal forests of the nsw north coast and se qld. Colonial cedar four poster bed c1850 s. One that is very popular is western red cedar.

1890 s cedar would have been french polished without a doubt. Shellac is the only way to go and to those who say it isn t durable or is impractical this post is the proof that when used correctly and looked after it is an excellent finish. They crafted red cedar from the hunter river region into beautiful colonial furniture. Height 103 cm width 95 5 cm depth 44 5 cm.

However of the eight trees only one the eastern red cedar is known for its true aromatic qualities.