What is Shellac and its Significance in French Polishing?
May 20, 2015Shellac is a time-honoured organic substance derived from the lac bug (Kerria lacca) which teems in prolific numbers in the forests of Thailand, India, and some forested parts of Burma. Once popular all throughout wood-working trades around the world, it was the original finishing lacquer of olden days, and was the precursor to modern day varnishes. In olden times, shellac was harvested in bulk form from the resinous left-overs of the lac bugs found in trees where they frequently burrow.
Once gathered, this was then melted down, filtered to remove any impurities, and then dried into thin sheets. These sheets were afterwards broken into flakes, sometimes shaped into coins or ground into a rough powder for eventual shipment and sale. Depending on the species of tree that acted as the lac bug’s ‘host,’ the ensuing shellac would differ largely in colour, although it came in a wide array of warm-toned hues, with colours ranging from near-white, golden yellow, amber, very light blonde (called ‘platina’), reddish brown, to very dark brown (referred to as ‘garnet’).
Shellac was originally sold only in its dry form, either as chips or flakes, or as powder, although later on, some stores concocted and sold pre-made solutions of shellac dissolved in a carrier, usually ethyl alcohol / ethanol, or high-proof grain spirits. These, unfortunately, tended to have a short shelf-life, which inspired many artisans to concoct their own.
Shellac and French Polishing
Because shellac gave a highly reflective polish and imbued some degree of colouration unto the surface of wood it was applied to, and since it had the tendency to build up in layers, forming a strong, semi-waterproof, ‘laminated’ surface, it was the most desired product to seal and protect wood. It also worked extremely well in adding a highly attractive and professional finish to furnishings and sundry of other wooden articles.
The use of shellac, and the refined process of its application – a technique known as French polishing – was not only a mainstay of many period furniture, but also an integral part of the finishing process of many musical instruments even to this day.
The Process of French Polishing
The process of French polishing is simple, one dissolves a controlled amount of shellac into a solution of ethanol; the ensuring solution is then applied evenly throughout a prepared surface using a cotton pad lubricated with the craftsman’s choice of oil. Yes, this method is a labour-intensive one, often repeated dozens of times to create a thick layer of ‘laminate’ that is known for its high gloss and high chatoyancy. Is it worth all the effort? Absolutely, especially when restoring antique furniture.
If you’re looking for more info on the process of French polishing, or you are in need of expert craftsmen who have mastered this painstaking method, you will be pleased to discover this website: http://www.lordsantiques.com.au
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