What defines restoration period furniture?

Restoration period furniture spans the late seventeenth century in England, covering the reigns of Charles II and William and Mary. These items include oak chests, walnut cabinets, and side tables. The term also extends to nineteenth-century French pieces from the Restauration and Charles X eras, such as giltwood armchairs and marble-topped tables.

How do I identify oyster veneer?

Oyster veneer consists of small, circular slices of wood cut across the branch rather than along the grain. This produces a repeated pattern that resembles oysters. Cabinetmakers applied these veneers to the drawer fronts and doors of seventeenth-century chests and cabinets to create decorative surfaces.

How should I care for walnut and oak items?

Keep wooden furniture away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to prevent the timber and veneer from splitting. Maintain stable indoor humidity levels. Apply traditional wax polish sparingly and buff with a soft cloth to preserve the natural patination of the seventeenth-century surfaces.