Originally Posted by
NT66
It looks to me as if the top and front are most likely new wood.....if you notice, they are much lighter than the drawers.
The top would have to be new, as none are shaped like that, but I have noticed many where the drawers appear different. One I know it was just an age thing as it was the treadle my sister learned to sew on. She really enjoys sewing with it. The treadle I have one of my 27 heads in has had some new wood work done to it (not by me) as some of the previous pieces were still in the drawers. I would have not known they weren't original if the pieces weren't with it. The parlor cabinet for one of my 15s isn't in the best of shape, but still is functional. Both are very fun to sew on. (I didn't think I would ever say that, based on my first experience with a treadle.)
I think it is foolishness to put an
antique wood treadle in a bathroom or put polyurethane on an
antique piece of furniture. There are better ways to preserve the surfaces.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.