This finish is usually applied to cherry, or other light-colored woods having little grain. The ebony appearance is produced by the use of a stain, various receipts for which will be found under the head of Stains. White shellac is the varnish usually employed, but some prefer the best rubbing-varnishes. Whatever varnish is selected, it should be as near as possible transparent, as otherwise the color of the work will appear to be greenish or brown. Not more than three coats should be applied, as successive coats of the most transparent varnish, will cause an opaque or clouded appearance. Experience and care are required to successfully rub an ebonized article, as the varnish must be rubbed almost to the wood, and if rubbed too deep a portion of the stain is removed, leaving a spot. Especial care should be used in rubbing the angles.

Ebony Finish

Instead of staining the wood and applying successive coats of transparent rubbing-varnish, a black varnish (or more properly speaking, a lacker) is often laid upon the surface of the wood. This process possesses the advantage of being very speedy, not occupying more time than ordinary spirit-varnishing, but on the other hand, the rapid hardening of the gum prevents the varnish from entering into and becoming fixed in the pores, so that it lies in a thin, hard, but very brittle coating upon the surface, and is very readily broken and scaled off, leaving spots of the original color of the wood, that cannot be properly repaired. Shellac varnish is generally used for this finish and is prepared by adding to it, drop-black or perfectly pure lamp-black, containing no grease or other foreign substance, sufficient to make it perfectly black. Apply one or more coats of this to the work, and finish by adding the necessary number of coats of brown shellac, and rubbing in the usual way. This finish is employed when it is desired to engrave or carve a design through ebonized work, -thus making the natural color of the wood appear in contrast to the black.