A wood finish is the protective and decorative coating applied to the surface of timber, used to enhance its colour and grain, protect it from moisture and wear, and create the desired level of sheen. On antique furniture the finish is among the most important features, as it contributes greatly to colour, patina and value.
Early English oak and country furniture was commonly finished with oils and beeswax, building up a mellow surface over generations of polishing. Varnishes based on natural resins were also used, and from the early nineteenth century French polishing, in which shellac dissolved in spirit is applied in many thin layers with a pad, produced the high gloss favoured on Regency and Victorian mahogany and rosewood. Lacquer, japanning, paint and gilding provided further decorative alternatives. Twentieth-century furniture introduced nitrocellulose lacquers and later synthetic finishes. Collectors place great value on original or early finishes, and stripping or heavy refinishing can significantly reduce value. Careful cleaning, revival and occasional waxing are generally preferred to complete refinishing. Recognising the type of finish on a piece helps with dating and guides the correct method of care and repair.
