Restoration by a client, cutting a mortise "in situ", in a New York City appartment.

The base shelf was originally inserted in a grove cut in the four sides of the case. The back rail and the front apron had enough thickness to support the length of the shelf over a long span. The side rails however were parts of the case structure. The sliding mortise had weakened the decorated rail which broke under the shelf weight. The shelf itself was in pieces. A discrete shelf support was inserted with tenons inside of the case, just under the apron level.

It was insteresting to notice that a previous alteration had asked for such shelves supports. Three levels had been inserted higher in the case. However, the cabinet maker at the time did not deem necessary to reinforce the bottom shelf support.