Knowing that any rope edge X base for $200 (CAN) shouldn't be passed up, but not being an expert on Eames shells, please help with the following questions.Question 1 - What colour is this? When I bought it, the dingy light of the antiques mall and the original dirty condition suggested parchment. After getting into daylight and doing some cleaning, I would guess a very faded sea foam green. The underside is greenish and the topside is gold-green-yellow. It is not translucent.Question 2- Is it a true LAX? I was concerned when I bought it that maybe the base was cut down, Based on the dimensions and side view, does it look right, knowing that the original Domes of Silence are missing and that added replacemnts would add a little height?Question 3 - Restoration - to do some work or not do some work? Assuming the conclusion from Question 1 is that this is a very faded shell, should I or should I not consider restoration? Googling gives various options and products available, but I have to say I have a distinct aversion to doing anything inappropriate or that isn't easily reversible. Coming from the antiques restoration school of only doing reversible solutions, I don't want to apply anything synthetic that would alter original integrity and maybe hurt value. The treatment I don't see mentioned anywhere is shellac. Shellac was absolutely NOT an original finish for shells, BUT I theorize it would supply a slight brightening up of faded conditions, and sealing of the odd loose fibre, and the degree of sheen can be adjusted by the numeber of thinned coats applied. Anyone doing restoration of older antiques should appreciate where I'm coming from. The shellac could be easilty removed, or reversible, with a simple rag wiping using denatured alchohol (methyl hydrate). The shellac would also leave a base for waxing (basic furniture wax), and the wax is easily removed with mineral spirits, if so desired. Has anyone tried shellac, or shellac and wax, combo treatment?
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Off the top of my head:
Even super-blonde shellac will impart some yellowish color and be somewhat susceptible to heat+humidity. It may be relatively easy to get off, but a guest with a sweaty bum may not be so easily removed from the chair!
You may want to consult a conservator on this. There are probably better choices like, maybe, Paraloid B-72 or other more appropriate reversible acrylic consolidants soluble in ethanol.
And to answer question 1: Yes it is Seafoam Green (the color of the under side is rather conclusive evidence) Though photos can be misleading, the top side color is a very familiar color that this color often fades to , and almost certainly the result of exposure. (I personally like the faded "olive"green color even more than the original Seafoam.)
Question 2: Yes it appears to be a proper LAX base.
And unless the surface is downright itchy, I might vote to leave it alone. Especially since you expressed a distaste for changing it too much from original. The color is beautiful, and the exposed fibers are spectacular. To me, the visual interest is a worthwhile trade-off for a little lost shine.
These shells are so tough, that you can feel quite safe trying several different passive cleaners and/or polishes without any risk to the original surface.
I have found that I can often get lucky and get a little bit of the sheen back over time, with several attempts at cleaning and rubbing with whatever is around.
But if fibers are too exposed and raised, and you have to do SOMETHING, then I suggest that you listen to tktoo's sound advice above.
Nice find!
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