This piece came to us with substantial water damage, flecked with deep oxidisation, after years left on its side in a leaking warehouse. Suffering further deterioration when a previous restorer sanded through the veneer in several sections.

After extensive conversations with the owner concerning authenticity, preservation, and the available options, we determined that the carcass and hardware were the only salvageable parts, requiring every visible section to be either rebuilt or resurfaced.

The mitred side panels were remade in-house from blockboard built to the exact specifications of the originals and veneered with continuous wrap-around book-matched grain.

What was left of the ruined veneer on the tambour doors was removed, and eight book-matched leaves were pressed and surgically sliced to precisely align with the staves beneath.

Unable to source wide 2000mm veneers for the top, we made our own. 

This project would likely polarise collectors, restorers, and dealers alike. Restoration is a delicate balance of preservation and intervention. I can’t say for certain if this is still the original piece—the foundations remain, its heart revived. But this piece – a remarkable design by an iconic designer – would not exist today without these drastic yet sympathetic measures—and I’m deeply grateful it does.

President sideboard by Hans Wegner, Model RY-25, for RY Möbler, European Oak

Finished with blonde shellac.