Charlie you can patch the corner with putty. Use Minwax woodfiller it comes in a can like wax and with an hardner. Drive three for four finishing nails so the stick out to support the putty(like rebar) Make sure they will be hidden by the putty. Tape a fat piece of eood on the bottom of the top to support the putty will setting. Make sure the patch is larger than the top so you can carve the shape of the molding and sand the top even and the bottom. This stuff sands good and carves well. You can also use car bondo. I would the faux grain paint it. Paint the base coat a pale yellow, you will see the yellow in the wood that is good.Take a very dark oil base stain the color of the oak grain. Use a stiff brush to wipe the stain to mimic the grain. You can wipe it off with turps and start over as many times until you like the looks. Let dry overnight and top coat with shellac. This is actually fun to do.
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