A list of the surface coatings used for varnishing or lacquering wooden furniture includes wax, drying oils, hard resin varnishes, soft resin drying-oil varnishes, oriental or European lacquer. A discussion of different forms of deterioration of furniture includes shrinkage which is dependent on the cell structure of the wood, the treatment during seasoning, the post-seasoning history of atmospheric exposure and the contructional situation of the wood in the furniture. Practical methods of furniture restoration are described, as are adhesives for repair, treatments for worm attack, and restoration of oriental and European lacquer and gilded furniture. Appendix: for a rough classification of the surface coatings on furniture, the author suggests sampling methods, and identification tests for waxes, drying oils, oil/resin varnishes spirit or solvent varnishes and painted and gilded finishes.