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 Antique Furniture Mortise and Tenon 

 

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By John Tope

Mortise and Tenon

The male part or tongue is called the Tenon, and the female recessed cut it enters on the other side is called the Mortise.  These were glued together with hide glue.  In American chairs, it can indicate that it was made before the Civil war.  New furniture can also be made using this method.  How do you tell the difference?  The old joint is made either with a mallet and chisel or a series of holes are drilled in a line and then squared with a chisel.  You can many times see the chisel marks on the sides and in the corners of the hand made mortise and in the tenon.  Motise and tenon joints made by hand was the only way to do it until the 1840’s. 

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National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Member #152445

 

Associate member of: 

The British Horological Institute LTD 

#20345

 

American Institute for Conservation Member

American Institute for Conservation 

American Watchmaker Clockmaker Institute Member #33233

American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute 

 

 

American Institute of Conservation Historic Objects A.I.C. historical objects member

 

 

 

American Institute of Conservation Wooden Artifacts Group Member

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John Tope

John Tope

 

John Tope is an associate member of the American Institute For Conservation Of Historical And Artistic Works,  Wooded Artifacts Group Of The American Institute Of Conservation and The Objects Specialty Group Of The American Institute Of Conservation.  Member of the National Association Of Watch And Clock Collectors.  Member Of  The American Watchmakers Clockmakers Institute and Associate Member of The British Horological Institute. 

 

 

Antique furniture bookcase

Bookcase.  Design published by T. Sheraton 1806.

 

 

Antique furniture boxwood cabinet

Cabinet of ebony with carvings of boxwood.  1867 Exhibition, Paris

 

 

Antique furniture secretary and bookcase

Secretary and bookcase carved in oak.  German gothic style 1846.

 

The photos above are taken from the book "Illustrated History of Furniture" by Frederick Litchfield.  Published in London, 1892.  The book was formally owned by James St. Vincent Brook Saumarez, 5th Baron de Saumarez. (1889-1969)