LINSEED OIL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18151, 14 August 1924, Page 4

LINSEED OIL.

THE RAW AND BOILED PRODUCT i.L'.uu ri luucd, 1 Tile following article i>u linseed oil lias been sent in by a emuributor ing himself "J-kP.'M.-" : It is unquestionably a fact that linseed oil, in its various forms, plays a most important part in industry, and perhaps most, notably wiib the painter, who has his fancies lor various classes of brands. Tho painter's choice ot .ionic particular brand may bo brought about, b.y a series of oiroumtsancos. It is naturally tho aim .-it' the manufacturer of linseed oil to dispose of his product as parly as possible—-the quicker the better—and in these- days of limited liability companies it i* the objective t.i sell the oil quicklv. and so save interest on capital. This, however, is not conducive to the benefit, the lasting power, nor tho quality of the oil, which, when pressed from the seed naturally contains a qua'. ;• :ty ot the moisture it obtains from the mother plant. To liberate this is somewhat difficult, as it is so iinoly divided that it- remains in susi>onsion for a considerable time, and most makers stock it in faults for as long as it is possible to allow this water to settle down by simple gravitation, and even the clearest and brightest, sample does, and ivill, contain a certain proportion of water. Therefore, it must he quite obvious 1o the painter that it is wise to buy this class of oil and stock it for some time to enable him to produce a better qualitv of work than ho would otherwise be able to do. Like v»rniKl»>fi, the older it is the better it will become.

There'scorns some- prejudices amongst painters to the use of boiled linseed oil. This may bo accounted for bv the quality of ihc materia) the manufacturers or merchants, or loth, pi act' on the market.. This particular linseed oil unfortunately lias the distinction of lending itself to a larger amount of admixture of various substances, according to the idea of the boiler, and also to the price ho is to accept for tho product—the price generally not exceeding threepence a. gallon over the raw linseed oil quotation. Before .going further, let it be remembered that as stated iu regard to the raw linseed oil, it contains a varying pert-outage of moisture, which must, perforce, bo eliminated or driven out by tho boiling, consequently there is a wastages by evaporation of the moisture it contains, and it mav be accepted bv everyone that tho few pence over tho raw prieo is quite sufficient to cover the loss sustained. Tins loss must bo made up bv the addition of material other than linseed oil. Let your readers think for themselves how this is to be accomplished. The only remedy is one of two things, nanielv, a cheaper substance to make up tho dVficiencv on the one hand, or a much increased nrico on tho other. The cost of boiling, labour, fuel, plant, etc, will be dealt with later.

A UNIQUE CABINET. Ilia Victoria and Albert Museum lias recently purchased, with the assistance of a grant from tho National -Art Collections Fund, a writing cabinet, signed "hjainuel Bennett, London, Fecit." This is an important example of English furniture of the tirao of Queen Aune, made of walnut wood with marquetry decoration of arabesque* ornament in light wood. The upper part, closed by a door inset with a mirror, framed with fluted pilasters and panels of inlaid ornament, contains a cupboard and shelves, in which the architectural motive suggested in the decoration of the exterior is cleverlyrepeated. Tho lower part, slope front and*drawers, is fitted with a central cupboard, flanked by drawers and pigeonholes. The whole is surmounted by a pediment with carved scrolls and shield. This piece of furniture is of unusual importance from more than one point of view. It is a distinguished example of English furniture of tho early part of the eighteenth century, marked by hieh quality of workmanship. The fact that it bears the signature of the maker (inlaid on tho inner surface of the door) makes it of particular value as a record, for it was not the usual practice for cabinetmakers in England to sign their furniture. Two other signed examples of tho work of Samuel Bennett are known, one of which further shows that lie lived in Monmouth square, London. The lino proportions of tho details aud the restraint iand good tasto o ftho ornamental details give it special value as an example for students. Tho cabinet is at present exhibited iu tho "West Hall of the Museum, near the main -entrance.