Ammonia fuming

In America, the introduction of the process is usually associated with the furniture maker Gustav Stickley at the beginning of the 20th century, but fuming was known in Europe before this.

If the chamber is large or the fuming is to be done for a long time, more than one container may be provided, or the ammonia may be replenished during the process.

The fuming time depends on the amount of darkening required, the size of the chamber, and the strength of the ammonia used.

The process is usually applied to white oak, as this wood has a high tannin content.

[5] Fuming was an accidental discovery in England[6] after it was noticed that oak boards stored in a stable had darkened.

[7] At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries fuming became popular with furniture makers in the Arts and Crafts movement.

[10] Stickley was quickly followed by other American Arts and Crafts furniture makers such as Charles Limbert and the Roycroft community.