Mark French polishing an English Chippendale table.Historic Finishes

16^th-20^th century historic clear finishes were wax, alcohol varnish and oil varnish. While each has different properties, the most beautiful, most used was the French polish, an alcohol varnish made up of gums (mostly shellac) and hand-applied with a tampon.

Varnish being applied via a mop (brush made of squirrel hair).