Finish for ebony pyramid bridge?

[George Roberts]

I am making a replacement bridge for a small parlor guitar.  The original bridge had split in front of the saddle.  When examining the old bridge, it appears to have a thin coat of finish. The early Martin pyramid/cone bridges also look like they had a layer of finish.  Any ideas as to whether or not they were finished, and if so, with what?  Thanks, George

[Frank Ford]

Shellac, by French polishing.  Very neat, very thin  Some folks do a nice job of mimicking that look by buffing the bridge after super fine sanding.

[George Roberts]

Thanks Frank, I'll give the French polish a try.