This is a 12th scale copy of a real 18th Century French desk, in the style of Francois Linke, found in a wonderful Antique' shop in Paris and another copy on 1st Dibs! I was informed by the French antique dealer that the antique was from an original located in the palace of Versaille.

As is traditional of desks of this type only one side of the desk has working drawers.

Every detail has been copied and the kit allows you plenty of scope to reproduce to the original which was wood and gilt or be more adventurous and paint it in colours of your choice such as gilt and black or cream and black (as I have done in the sample photographed).

The kit is very easy to assemble; just the four legs to attach with super glue or epoxy resin.

The drawers are not functional and do not open.

Made from resin

6.5cm high x 15.5cm wide x 7.5cm deep.

DIY KIT of Gentlemans French Desk c. 1780

£32.50

Excluding VAT

Quantity

6.5cm high x 15.5cm wide x 7.5cm deep.
If you do not like your purchase and wish to return it to me then please let me know within 14 days of receipt. The items will need to be returned within 30 days of receipt. I shall refund the carriage costs to you and the cost of the item but the return carriage will be covered by you. Please email me.

Faulty or damaged?

If you receive an item that has been damaged in transit or is faulty then please inform us within 14 days of receipt. The items will need to be returned within 30 days of receipt. I shall refund in full thel posting fees and the original invoice value including the postage fee. Please email me.
We send all parcels on a stardard parcel service which is the cheaper of all options. UK deliveries usually arrive within 1 to 3 days of despatch and most USA, Australian and Japanese deliveries arrive within 10 days.

Europe takes about 5 days.

I package well and try to keep postal costs to a minimum by ensuring that I use light weight but effective packaging - however on the off chance you receive something damaged in the post please let me know - and I shall send a replacement if and where possible.

If goods are delayed in transit this will be due to the courier or postal service. Apart from tracking and possibly contacting the courier I am unable to "speed" things up....However I shall always aim to despatch your item within 48 hours of receipt of your order.
Cleaning up

All kits are supplied in a state that I describe as "fresh from the mould". The moulding processes create little spurs on parts of the castings. These can easily be removed with a knife or snips but be carful not to take away important location pins or door nodules....it is always best to look at the assembly before removing them. Some of the spurs will require sanding with a needle file or emery board. There maybe some feathering which is where very small amounts of fine resin escapes through the gap where the mould joins - simply brush them off.

Assembly

Most kits are easy to assemble but the buffet and the small french cabinet have doors which are hinged by ball and socket joints. I find using a slower setting glue helpful as super glue does not provide you with enough working time.

Super glue options that I like are Deluxe Cyano Gel glue and Hafixs professional super glue both available on line.

Painting
The resin does not absord stains easily so if you are planning on wood finishing you will need to create layers of translucent colour and texture and finish with a wax.

If you are using paints then all paints are fine - I have not yet met any paints that will not adhere to the surface. You could use paints in a can, emulsion, acrylic, oils and so on.

Gilt

Gold leaf can be applied directly to the resin surface. First paint any areas you want to gild with gold size (acrylic for easy use), allow to go tacky and then gild the surface with dutch metal (an imitation gold leaf).

Alternatively try using a gilt paint such as liberon or bristol paint. I find the gilt waxes can oxidise and go green unless they are sealed.

Aging

If you wish to age your paint finish try one of these two methods:

Annie sloane makes a wonderful dark brown wax which works well over acrylics and emulsions. Paint it on and wipe it off.

Raw umber is a brilliant colour for aging (use acrylic for fast drying) - paint on and wipe off- to increase the drying time add a small amount of scumble glaze to the paint.