1895 Melchior Barber Chair
Years of water damage was easily removed with oxalic acid with minimal abrasive.
Seat as it appeared upon tear-down
Original springs were buffed free of rust, enameled and tacked to original framing. Back rail was rotted beyond salvage.
Burlap stitched over springs
First stuffing of excelsior. Originally done with flax straw.
Excelsior in place ready to be stitched in
Wood wool is pulled down in burlap. Stitching seen here is accessed through holes in wood base. (note picture 3)
Several rows of stitching pull the padding in for support around the edges
Spanish moss second stuffing. . Moss is topped wth glazed wadding, then pulled down in muslin prior to mohair cover.
Wood wool being pulled down over lumbar support
Wool is topped with a thin layer of moss, glazed wadding, then pulled down in muslin. (note stitched-in arm pads)
Head rest padding was twisted and tacked around the edges in edge roll fashion.
Center is leveled out and topped with wadding
75% of carving and veneer was missing. Only a profile to work with, this is my walnut carving in progress with olive ash burl applied.
Original "foot pads" were missing. New were based from archival pics of similar chairs.
