Anyone know what finish is on this piece?

[Larry Fox]

Anyone know (or care to guess) what finish is on this piece?

The very first one on the page?

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=56731&cat=

It is also the piece that is on the cover of their spring sales circular.

Looks like 1) blo 2) amber or orange shellac and 3) age to me but thought I would ask in the event that anyone had any additional information.

[Paul Dwight]

I don't know what finishing schedule the (excellent) woodworker used on that piece, but Jeff Jewitt's website includes an article describing his technique to achieve an "early American maple finish" that looks similar: http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/htdocs/eamaple.htm That might be a good place to start.

[Larry Fox]

Paul - thanks for the response and the link. I have read that article as I am currently wroking on a maple piece but, to me, it doesn't look as though there is a stain involved in the schedule for the piece in question.

Given the vintage, I think that the schedule was relatively simple (like an oil / shellac) and that age and sheer design elegance are the X-factor's.

I sure would like to be able to come up with a good aproximation of it though.

[glenn bradley]

I'll bet LV would cough up a hint or you could see what the artist has on his site (if any). I'm no expert but and oil with shellac plus age feels right.