The delicate art of fine hand finishing ...

Craftsmen of 100 years ago used colored shellacs as finishes due to the lack of viable alternatives. Today at Thomsen Ltd., we hand finish with custom-mixed stains and pre-catalyzed lacquers to bring out all the subtle beauty of the wood while protecting it from normal wear and tear. Lacquer is more durable than shellac and won't leave unsightly white rings. It is also superior to pigmented paste wax, which tends to muddy the finish. To complete our case pieces, we use handmade hardware that replicates the original look of the period.