Bois Durci Information Centre

A collection of images and documents.

If you have arrived here without knowing what 'Bois Durci' is click here for a brief description.

Click on any of the categories shown below, to see a selectable list of items within that category.

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Barometers Blotters Boxes Brooches Buckles Covers Frames (Large Oval) Frames (Large Rect.) Frames (Small Oval) Frames (Small Rect.) 1 Well Ink Stands 2 Well Ink Stands Mirrors Paper Weights Pen Trays Plaques Portrait Plaques A to L Portrait Plaques M to Z Powder Trays Religious Sundry Items Tazzas Thermometers

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Click on any of the "Text" buttons to see the full document text.

A translation of an article, in French, in a yearbook (The Scientific and Industrial Year), published in 1863.
"Works in Bois Durci, or Pulverised Wood". From the 'Art Journal' 1867.
An  abstract translated from the Nouveau Manuel Complet du Mouleur by Lebrun and Magnier (Paris, 1917, p. 275).
A letter published in Plastics in February 1940. Written by a M. Forres of M.I.O.M.

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What is Bois Durci.

Bois Durci is a plastic moulding material based on cellulose. It was patented, in Paris in 1855, by Lepage. It is made from finely ground wood 'flour' mixed with a binder, either egg or blood albumen or gelatine. The wood is probably either ebony or rose wood, giving a black or brown result. The mixture is dried and ground to a fine powder. The powder is placed in a steel mould and compressed in a powerful hydraulic press whilst being heated by steam. The final product has a highly polished finish imparted by the surface of the steel mould.

It is not known when the production of Bois Durci objects, in Paris, was discontinued. However, it is known that another factory was established in 1883 in Sezanne by members of the Hunebelle family. This factory used the same material to produce very similar items. Although stylistically similar, it is almost certain that none of the moulds from Paris were used in Sezanne. The Sezanne factory continued in production, manufacturing both 'Belle Epoque' and 'Art Nouveau' items until the factory was destroyed by fire in 1926.

There are many different products made with this material. Some are listed below.

bulletPortrait Plaques of famous persons.
bulletPlaques for attaching to furniture and pianos.
bulletPlaques for the covers of Photograph Albums and Prayer Books. 
bulletPlaques for decorating the sides of Boxes.
bulletPlaques for decorating Clocks.
bulletPicture and Mirror frames.
bulletInkstands (Encrier), Pen Trays , Pen Dryers, Blotters and letter racks.
bulletBarometers.
bulletThermometers.
bulletDesk Calendars.
bulletBelt buckles and Brooches.
bulletMourning Jewellery.
bulletDishes and Tazzas.
bulletPaper Weights.
bulletPaper Knife Handles.
bulletStatuettes.
bulletPurses.
bulletCaskets.
bulletOwls (to hold matches or an inkwell).

 

Webmaster: Harold Mernick
harry@mernicks.com

This sited is hosted by mernicks.com at www.mernick.org.uk/BDWeb

Date last updated 02/10/2008