About this restoration

This Louis XVI style marquetry commode came through our Fort Collins shop as a complex multi-discipline restoration project. The piece included marquetry veneer drawer fronts, figural brass mounts, cherub figures, garland swags, decorative corner elements, a marble top, and a carcass requiring traditional hand-applied French polish.

What was wrong

The commode arrived completely disassembled, with the drawers, brass mounts, figural elements, and decorative components removed individually. Restoring it correctly required more than one process: brass restoration, veneer and marquetry repair, French polish surface work, marble repair and polishing, and precise reassembly so every component would seat, align, and read as one coherent piece again.

What we did

• Completed full disassembly and restoration planning for the drawers, carcass, brass mounts, figural elements, and marble top.
• Restored the cast brass components including corner figures, cherub figures, garland swags, and decorative mounts.
• Cleaned, polished, and refinished the brass with a brass-specific lacquer to protect the restored metal surfaces.
• Repaired and refinished the marquetry drawer fronts while preserving the inlaid pictorial compositions and contrasting wood species.
• Restored the base and carcass surfaces using traditional hand-applied French polish.
• Polished and repaired the marble top so it could return to the piece as part of the finished presentation.
• Reassembled the commode completely with all restored components correctly seated, fitted, and aligned.

Care tips

• Dust wood, brass, and marble gently with a soft microfiber cloth; avoid abrasive pads and harsh spray cleaners.
• Do not place wet objects directly on the marble or wood surfaces.
• Use care around the brass mounts, figural details, and marquetry veneer when cleaning or moving nearby objects.
• Avoid ammonia, alcohol, silicone sprays, and acidic cleaners, especially near French-polished surfaces and brass lacquer.
• Keep the commode away from heat vents, high humidity, and prolonged direct sunlight.
• If brass, veneer, marble, or finish areas begin to show wear, book maintenance early rather than attempting DIY repair.