[Steve Davis]

I restored a 70 cabinet for a customer a while back that had this sort of cracking on the arch veneer. I was unable to determine the cause. There were no underlying joints running parallel to the cracks. The only thing I can think of, there may be a different rate of expansion and contraction (because of changes in temperature and humidity)  between the oriental wood veneer and the underlying wood causing the veneer to pull itself apart. The way the arch is constructed, the core material is made with strips of poplar or other wood, edge glued, with the grain and glue joints running vertically. A layer of thick. inexpensive veneer, is added to the front and back with the grain running perpendicular to the core grain. This is called "cross banding" or just "banding" for short. The cross banding minimizes warping, cracking and splitting of the core. Finally, the finish veneer is added with a "V" match diagonal grain on the front and a vertical grain on the rear.

Terry, if you decide you want to replace the veneer, let me know, I will send you some oriental wood veneer.

Steve