The mahogany drum table made by bertram and sons of London and date to around 1860-1870 come in for some restoration, the table having been damage through years of sunlight , this had bleached the colour from the timber and causing the glue to dry. This had then caused some of the veneers around the draws and carcass to lift , damaging them and spitting them over a period of time.
The table base was also bleached and would also need some attention. The biggest problem with the table was the legs two had become loose and slipped out of the column, this would need the steel brace removed and the leg to be knocked apart . The legs are fixed in place by a dovetail joint which are often tapered fit . The old glue was cleaned and removed before being reglued and the steal strap re fixed back in place
The draws had their damage veneers removed and replaced with new veneer , cut from some old saw cut satinwood veneers , thus was because the thickness of the veneers used in the original construction of the table. Sometimes I will need to cut down solid timber to make veneers when repairing period furniture. Doing this it helps with colour and making the repairs look in keeping with the furniture.as often old timber is a different colour to modern wood and spending sometime sorting out some old wood for repairs can make a big difference , when it comes to colouring out during the finishing . The top has some damage to the inlays around the Marquertry edge , this would need to be made from thin boxwood and ebony lines, and the central veneers being cut from satinwood veneers. Once all repairs were carried out to the table,the repairs were levelled flat and sealed with some shellac .
The table was then cleaned back to remove the old dirt and polish ,only from the surface this would remove the faded polish and hopefully bring back some of the colour of the timber and to the Marquertry panels . It just depends on how much sunlight has bleached out of the wood or if it’s just bleached the polish. Send the polish cloudy as it Ages. The table was then French polished with a clear polish. This brought some colour back to the wood veneers and the Marquertry panels , thankfully the sun hadn’t bleached out the colour . The new repairs were coloured out to match the wood around them during the polishing stages. As it’s done over a period of days . The round leather too was revived and waxed . As it was in good order . The table was then waxed, this would knock back the high shine from the polish and give it a period look without looking new
Around the top the Marquertry inlay had the twelve zodiac signs set into the veneer. An interesting discovery that even the client wasn’t aware of after owning it for most of his life
The drum table was made by bertram and sons of London , I’ve restored few peace’s of theirs over the years and here was a original paper label fitted to the underneath of the table and some extra information on those cabinet makers.
Bertram, William; Bertram & Son
London; upholsterer, looking glass maker, carver, gilder and cabinet maker (fl.1839-1902)
The business was established in 1830. William Bertram was recorded in the Lord Chamberlain’s accounts in 1860 and listed in London Post Office Directories (1845 & 1871). From 1878 the business was listed as Bertram & Son at 100 & 101 Dean Street, Soho, as looking glass makers, carvers & gilders and cabinet makers. The 1902 London Post Office Directory recorded the firm as upholsterers at the Dean Street address, also 10 Newman Street, Oxford Street, and 3 & 4 Great Chapel Street.
The Furniture Gazette (1878-1884) recorded various exhibitions in which Bertram & Son participated. At the 1878 Paris Exhibition they displayed a chimney-piece and mirror after Chippendale for which they received an honourable mention [5 January & 28 September 1878] and wood carvings, illus.[ 28 December 1878]. They furnished some of the rooms at the Exhibition of the Domestic Electric Lighting Company at the Crystal Palace (1 April 1882). At the 1884 Exhibition of Furniture, Royal School of Needlework, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, the firm displayed Chippendale & Sheraton style furniture [23 February 1884]. The Furniture Gazette, 1 May 1888, recorded Bertram & Son supplying hatstands for the Strand District board room.
Other known pieces include a brass-inlaid mahogany kneehole desk in French style recorded in private collection with stamped name and address on edge of central drawer. A marquetry side cabinet with serpentine front, pair of drawers enclosing shelves, short ormolu-mounted cabriole legs, and inlaid on satinwood ground with urns, flowers and military trophies is also recorded. A small rosewood flap table with brass stringing is stamped ‘BERTRAM & SON DEAN ST. W.’ and bears a small printed label inscribed ‘BERTRAM & SON 100 & 101 Dean St. Oxford St. W. Upholsters and Cabinet Makers Established 1830’. A labelled dining chair is recorded from a set of eight in beech finished in cream and gold with a chinoiserie back panel (illus. Gilbert
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Daniel Chapman antique furniture conservation and restoration 