Pale-coloured woods are stained in imitation of ebony by washing them with, or steeping them in, a strong decoction of logwood or galls, allowing them to dry, and then washing them over with a solution of the sulphate or acetate of iron. When dry, they are washed with clean water, and the process repeated, if required. They are, lastly, polished or varnished.

Black Stain, Or Imitation Of Ebony

First, form a stain of galls and logwood, in the proportion, by weight, of 12 parts of logwood to 2 parts of galls, and give the work one coat with this stain. Add one part of verdigris to the stain, and give the work another coat. Then add one part of sulphate of iron; and apply one or more coats as may be deemed necessary

Black Stain For Immediate Use

Boil half a pound of chip logwood, in two quarts of water, add one ounce of pearl-ash, and apply it hot to the work with a brush. Then take half a pound of logwood, boil it as before in two quarts of water, and add half an ounce of verdigris, and half an ounce of copperas strain it off, put in half a pound of rusty steel filings, with this go over your work a second time.

To Imitate King Or Botany-Bay Wood

Boil half a pound of French berries, in two quarts of water, till of a deep yellow, and, while boiling hot, give two or three coats to your work; when nearly dry, form the grain with the black stain, which must also be used not.

You may, for variety, to heighten the colour, after giving it two or three coats of yellow, give one of strong logwood liquor, and then use the black stain as directed.