How To Restore The Original Finish On A 17th Century Charles II Oak Coffer

[@vickilucille]

It’s a beautiful piece! You’re very lucky to have found it. I think the flower is an artichoke, a very Mediterranean symbol. Possibly a sunflower depicted around the border or stylised sun rays.

[@gemini62167]

Simon, I love your videos. I've never waxed furniture before. I've been researching waxes and the process, and I must say that your videos have been the most helpful. Aside from the beauty of the waxes you've produced I am also happy that you've refrained from using any plastics whatsoever. Also, I love the trains. I really do. They bring back decades to a time when things weren't so frenzied as they are now. :)

[@backintime7644]

My wife recently purchased a Singer Featherweight Table that needed some life put back into it. After watching a few of your videos, multiple times, I started to restore the finish. It's looking much better already & I've only got the shellac sealer on & ready for the French polish. After the polish I'll apply the wax finish. thanks for giving me the knowledge to attempt this new skill. I have a list of items that need help & rejuvenation that I'm ready to start on thanks to your help.

[@GilboysRestoration]

I hope it all works well for you. Remember to leave as long a gap as possible between finishing with shellac and wax polishing. It allows time for the shellac to harden before waxing to leave a more even waxed finish. ✅

[@richardfarrar3247]

Well, I’ve just been waxing our oak furniture with Antique Gold, beautiful aroma by the way. Sat down to relax and low and behold Simon appears on KZbin with this remarkable antique Coffer restoration using the same product. I can wholeheartedly recommend this wax for its ease of application and removal together with the beautiful finish it imparts to your furniture. Will definitely be ordering a refill in the future when mine has gone….great video.

[@GilboysRestoration]

Thank you Richard. That's very kind of you.

[@TheVolcanicGardener-bx4yz]

I think you will find that it is a stylised pineapple. So little known in 16th and 17th century in Europe, that there were all sorts of creative renderings. Lovely coffer btw.

[@mrstandfast2212]

A great video as always. I've used your wax on a coffer and several other furniture items. My coffer was of a similar age and also had carvings throughout. I found that adding a drop of raw turpentine into the jar made the wax very easy to apply into all the nooks and cranies. Concerning the age of these pieces of furniture, it's fascinating to consider that the oak from which they're made was probably between 100 to 200 years old before it was felled, seasoned and then used. That means the timber actually dates from the Tudor dynasty which began in 1485 and ended in 1603.

[@GilboysRestoration]

✅ Thats a good tip if our wax is a bit stiff. And absolutely right. I did intend to mention that the oak was could easily be 200 + years old before it was felled, sawn and dried. Quite incredible to have these pieces in our homes. 🙂

[@TheCottackWorkshop]

What a lovely piece and great result. Many thanks for sharing and for all the hints and tips along the way. Lovely!

[@GilboysRestoration]

Thanks Bruce. I hope all is going well with you. ✅

[@rodneyarnoldi]

Thank you for the nice demonstration on your very attractive carved coffer.

[@GilboysRestoration]

My pleasure. Thank you.

[@thierrylegrain8463]

Magnifique coffre, et superbement mis en valeur par un restaurateur de talent

[@skweissman6312]

Wonderful piece… thistle is Scottish symbol and Charles II was grandson of James VI of Scotland/I of England…the Stuart monarchs.

[@taniac1860]

What a beautiful piece. The first thing I thought when I saw the carving, was an artichoke, which is in the thistle family.

[@charlessweeney2061]

Top job. Love your videos. Love the relaxed Devon vibe (I'm from Glasgow)!

[@GilboysRestoration]

Thank you. 🙂

[@daan7330]

as always , nice video , learned something ,and enjoyed watching , thanks!

[@GilboysRestoration]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@AB-nu5we]

Beautiful piece, amazing finish.

[@susanwatson1599]

Beautiful result. I love your product line of waxes. I also agree with you about the flower motif . .looks less like a tulip because of the leaves. Tulip leaves fan outward from the stem, not towards it and are not serrated as those appear to be. A thistle is more likely.

[@GilboysRestoration]

Thanks Susan. Yes its tricky. Many of the thistles I have seen in carved in wood have a little crown on top, also they have spiker carved leaves. But this has thrown me. I suppose the key word here is 'stylised'. 🙂

[@TheVolcanicGardener-bx4yz]

I also recall that Charles II was famously presented with a pineapple by Royal Gardener John Rose (appropriately named). There is a picture of this event c1675-80. This would fit with the other dating evidence for the coffer. Painting is in the Royal Collection. Purportedly the first pineapple grown in England.

[@time4clocks]

The lovely train going by, what a great sound. Enjoyed your tips and methods Mr. Simon. Does more buffing produce more gloss or is there a limit of how much shine one can get from wax. That coffer looks so much better! What a great piece of history! Thank you. 😀

[@GilboysRestoration]

Thank you. I've been on the lookout for a good one for some time. You may get more of a sheen by waiting a few more days after the initial buff. ✅ Yes the train is lovely, I like it when the heritage diesels go by 😀 #70's child 😆 Kind regards Simon

[@2077barrie]

Hi, what do you recommend for a 16th Century walnut coffer to keep it looking great?

[@cobberpete1]

Your right the mechanical brush costs a lot, but worth it. I refurbished a 3m dining table a few years back and sneaky added the cost of the brush into the price 😎

[@GilboysRestoration]

Well done Peter. Did you use it on the table top?

[@tamwar3]

Great video thanks for sharing along with the extra information. What was the book about oak furniture?

[@GilboysRestoration]

Thank you Simon. The book I used to reference was: 'Oak Furniture' - The British Tradition' by Victor Chinnery ✅

[@tamwar3]

@@GilboysRestoration many thanks

[@mollymcguckian]

Hi, love your videos and your wax. I was just wondering what grained/over grained/graining is? Many thanks

[@GilboysRestoration]

Hi Mary. Thank you. Over graining is a painted effect applied to sometimes imitate a different wood or a more expensive wood. 🙂 kind regards Simon

[@laineymcd4074]

Must say I approve of somebody saying "Don't buy this item we sell if you only have one piece." I have more than one piece.

[@richarddoolan]

You forgot to mention Scottish influence with the Thistle

[@keithstephen667]

Hello, am I the only person who cannot reach your website? It is not working for me.

[@GilboysRestoration]

HI Keith. if you are Keith form Bulgaria. I have just opened up to your country on our website. For some reason it was not included in the Eurozone on our website. 🧐 If you are not Keith from Bulgaria. Then please say where you are in the world and I'll try and help. 🙃😁

[@KevinAmatt]

The carvings around the edges of the coffer look typical Victorian. Who liked doing courses. They’ve been carved into the wood, instead of standing proud of the wood. Those semicircular patterns are especially Victorian. See how the last one on the right is only half of a semicircle. That wouldn’t happen if it was done a professional carver. Not sure about the panels. When I’ve seen coffers that old they don’t have any carvings on them. So it could have been carved later.

[@GilboysRestoration]

HI Kevin. If you can get hold of it... "Oak furniture" 'A British Tradition' by Victor Chinnery. The coffer is period correct. 🙂 I've seen, bought, restored dozens of them over the past thirty years. You are right that Victorians would carve them. I recently sold one that had been just as you said. But not this one. ✅ kind regards Simon

[@2077barrie]

Thank you not replying.