The William Penn fireplace is located in the Speaker Matthew J. Ryan Building (or Annex) at the Pennsylvania State Capital. The grandest fireplace in the 1894 building, it is located in what was originally the Governor's ceremonial reception room. Designed by architect John Windrin, the elliptical room is reached via a grand staircase bordered by ochre colored scagliola paneled wainscoting and walls. The focal point is the intricately carved mahogany fireplace that takes its name from a bas-relief bust of William Penn that is part of the carved decoration.

When John Canning Studios artisans examined the mahogany mantel they noted that the original finish - a beautiful French polish - was still intact though obscured by years of hardened soot and grime. They determined that conservation of the wood finish was the appropriate action and proceeded with a painstaking but rewarding three-step conservation process.

JCS experts were also faced with repairing many of the ornate and delicate carved details that had been broken off and damaged over the years. The architectural wood carver chose to match the design elements by gluing pieces of vintage mahogany (salvaged from other parts of the building) onto the damaged areas and carving the elements in place. This method proved to be the most efficient, creating nearly seamless carved repairs that became undetectable once the stain and finish were matched.

Speaking of matching stain and finish - that's where the skill and experience comes in. Matching newly milled wood to aged wood of an exotic species takes patience and skill in mixing and applying aniline dye. Aniline dyes were used in the original finish and are desirable at the conservation and repair stage because of their clarity and transparency. These qualities allow the wood grain to show through even the darkest hues.

NOTE: Aniline dye is often dismissed as undesirable because of the misconception that it has "fugitive" properties, that is, it fades. When dissolved in water, aniline dyes are far more stable than when they are dissolved in either alcohol or oil.

JCS used a three-step conservation process applying viscous agents made especially for these conditions. The viscosity of the agents allowed for controllable dwelling time on the surface. The steps were first cleaning, then rejuvenating the wood, and finally polishing with beeswax. All steps were carefully applied by hand.

Expertly employing the tried and true methods of the original artisans, John Canning Studios was able to conserve this important decorative element and preserve the William Penn fireplace for present and future generations to enjoy.

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