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Posted

My father was stationed at Pearl Harbor during WWII. While he was there he purchased quite a few pieces of Monkeypod wood dishware. The Monkeypod dishes were a fixture at many family, holiday and birthday meals throughout my childhood. There is probably more sentimental value than dollar value attached to these dishes at this point. :wink:

My mother has 4 rather attractive serving pieces left. For being 60+ years old, and in semi-regular use for a good number of years, they're in pretty good shape, but they do need some attention. The finish has worn off in a few spots on 2 pieces and the other 2 have a rather lackluster appearance. The wood appears to be in good shape as there are no cracks, splits or other damage.

I'm looking for ideas, suggestions, recommendations for conditioning, reconditioning or otherwise preserving these 4 pieces for the next 60 years. I know nothing about Monkeypod wood or how to treat it.

Posted

Pretty much the same as any wood serving piece.

Wash in warm soap and water. From time to time rub on some food grade mineral oil.

If they get rough, sand them with fine grit sandpaper.

Avoid the dishwasher or leaving them soaking in water and they should last another 60 years (or more!)

---

Erik Ellestad

If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck...

Bernal Heights, SF, CA

Posted

What eje said. All I have to add is that if the wood is really dry you may need to do many coats of mineral oil (allowing it to soak in) to get the driest pieces looking right again.

Hey, kalypso, you've changed your avatar. I always liked that ultra-flexy cat you used to have; reminds me of one of my own.

Nancy Smith, aka "Smithy"
HosteG Forumsnsmith@egstaff.org

Follow us on social media! Facebook; instagram.com/egulletx

"Every day should be filled with something delicious, because life is too short not to spoil yourself. " -- Ling (with permission)
"There comes a time in every project when you have to shoot the engineer and start production." -- author unknown

Posted

Eje, thanks, I will try the mineral oil. That thought had crossed my mind.

Nancy, thanks for the comment about my former avatar. The cat was one of my Maine Coon cats (which I used to breed). His full name was GC/GP Lagunacoon Obi Juan Koonobi. He was quite large and the biggest chicken in the world. He reminded me quite a bit of Marmaduke the comic strip great dane. Unfortunately, Obi developed a very fast moving and malignant tumor in his mouth last fall and I lost him shortly before his 15th birthday. He may make a comeback at some point as my avatar :smile:

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