French polishing
We use shellac, and shellac only, so we French polish our antiques.
The traditional process of hand applying shellac to antiques made out of wood (typically furniture, but also musical instruments, walking sticks, clocks, and home fixtures, etc.) is done by rubbing shellac with a pad in a cloth, layer after layer, coat after coat into and onto the wood surface.
This technique became extremely popular in the early 1800s after shellac was rediscovered in India and its use as a wood finish reintroduced to Europe, after a few isolated techniques had already been used previously.
Since then it definitely replaced wax and oils as refinishing materials for quality English furniture and other pieces made in the Western world for its durability, protection, and particularly for the way French polishing makes the beautiful veins of wood stand out and the color so much warmer.
When it comes to English antiques, authentic and dating from the late 1700s-early 1800s, then the historically appropriate way to restore them is only by french polishing.
No matter what some say, either in error or for a clever choice (it’s cheaper and more convenient in many ways for a dealer to leave a piece unfinished), antiques are supposed to be restored and brought back to their original looks, while preserving some of the signs of its aging, patina and a minor stress marks, and back to their original functionality and every now and then it should be retouched, the French Polish should be reapplied, locks and works lubricated, etc.
While leaving it unrestored doesn’t reduce the value, neither does it increase, and the only way to achieve a better value instantly and a better increase in value over time is to restore it appropriately. Furthermore, leaving it as it is, puts it at higher risk of further deterioration, which instead would affect its value and appeal.
Unfortunately good restorers are rare in America, and very few Americans want to pick up the job, particularly as a full time one, so the few that know how to work professionally and with skill are very expensive. That’s one of the reasons we have our pieces partially or totally restored in Italy by skilled and experienced craftsmen and why we do it ourselves for pieces and clients that require it in America.
Once our pieces are restored by us, they can go a long way. Only after years a fresh coat of shellac might be needed to revitalize the original look, the soft shine that only shellac and french polishing can give.