Before restoration
This early Victorian rosewood chess table came into the workshop with several problems. A few of the chessboard squares had lifted or were missing, one of the edge mouldings had come away, and the old finish had become dry and cloudy.
I replaced the missing squares with timber chosen to match the original board. The pale squares appear to be satin birch, so the new pieces had to be cut carefully and fitted with the grain running in the right direction.
I then glued the loose moulding back into place, cleaned the table and applied a new polished finish.
After restoration
The finished table is shown here back on its turned pedestal and scroll feet. The repairs blend into the original board, and the new polish has brought back the colour and grain of the rosewood.
Furniture in this condition can often be repaired rather than replaced.