Patinations

Boulle Bureau

Boulle Bureau, Premiere-Partie on Red Tortoiseshell with Ormolu Gallery, circa 1850.

This Boullework bureau was structurally sound, but there were several loose and lifting sections of brass and tortoiseshell due to the materials contracting and expanding at different rates.

Conservation consisted of many loose areas being lifted and cleaned underneath, removing accretions of dirt and dust. This process allows the Boullework to lie flat again. Vacuum bags in conjunction with infrared heat lamps were used to re-seat (fix) the Boullework on compound curves. Flexible fish glue was used as it is the most successful adhesive since it allows for differing expansion and contraction between the various materials.