Antiques-A Connoisseur’s delight

Antique, a word usually associated with the exotic, has always been a favorite with the connoisseurs of art. But why specifically attribute it to the connoisseurs? We are all attracted to exotic things. The beautiful pearl studded chest, the wooden trinket box that you picked up on your last visit to India (that belonged to a Mughal Queen!) or that oh so antique looking armchair! . We all wish to display antiques in our homes. They add that extra touch of elegance and style. Everything that looks antique, however, is not antique. In the U.S, furniture over 100 years old is usually referred to as ‘Antique’.

It ‘s all very well if you wish to indulge yourself by buying that beautiful wooden chest but do you also wish to pass on this antique to your future generations by preserving it in the same condition as it was in, when you first bought it? For this, it is essential that you store, display and handle your antique wooden items with extra care. Antique furniture cannot be handled as carelessly as your modern furniture. Don’t make the mistake of considering your antique furniture as ‘wood’. It is a pity that every year, in thousands of homes, wonderful pieces of art are destroyed due to sheer ignorance and lack of caution.

The ‘Enemies’ of your Treasure

To appreciate the means of preserving your antique wooden items, you should first familiarize yourself to the various causes of its damage and try your best to eliminate them. Below are few precautions that you must take when handling your antique wooden items.
? Be extra careful when moving your antique wooden furniture. Remove all substances (even a piece of jewellery or watch) that may scratch the furniture. Also, avoid dragging your furniture.
? Wood is sensitive to light. So, Never place your antique wooden items in areas of bright light.
? Avoid placing the wooden items near sources of heat and keep a check on the humidity level (a light meter and a hygrometer are good investments, in this regard).
? Check your wooden furniture at regular intervals to detect any signs of infestation. If infested, isolated the piece immediately and get it examined by a wood conservator.

Preserve your ‘Heirlooms’

Care that begins at Home: The first step in the preservation of Antique wooden items is the thorough cleaning of the items. Though extensive cleaning should be left to a professional, one can remove the dust by using a soft brush. Wet cleaning is not recommended for unfinished surfaces. For finished products, you may use a dilute detergent (the strength should ideally be 1% detergent in distilled water). Use a soft cloth for cleaning the surface. You may also use cotton balls for cleaning. Rinse off the detergent with a soft cloth or cotton balls. After cleaning, wipe the surface clean with a soft dry cloth. Make sure that no residues of the detergent or moisture are left on the surface.

Commercial products that help: one of the most useful products available for the care of antique wooden items is a fine quality beeswax polish. Ideal for use once in a year, beeswax polish should be used in small quantities and applied with a soft cloth. Silicone based furniture wax is also recommended for this purpose (Fuller Brush #749 Lemon D.C.W. Furniture Wax). A cleaning or polishing mitt is ideal for polishing wooden items (Fuller Brush # 158 Polishing & Cleaning Mitt). Other than beeswax and silicone based polishes, a huge array of other products are available in the market for the care of antique wooden items. The range includes oils, waxes, and sprays (Fuller Brush # 741 Lemon Furniture Oil, Fuller Brush #692 Rich Furniture Cream, Fuller Brush # 9407, Spray ‘n Polish). For use of the chemical sprays, spray triggers are separately available at leading stores (Fuller Brush # 9000 Spray Trigger). Brushes are a great idea when you want to dust away loose dust particles from your wooden furniture (Fuller Brush # 5718 Counter/ Bench brush).

Last, but definitely not the Least

?Never tamper with the original finish of your antique wooden item. It is symbolic of the historical value of your antique.
? When damaged accidentally, get your antique repaired as quickly as possible. Always refer a qualified furniture or wood conservator.