How to Care for Antique Furniture?

The methods for taking care of antique furniture have changed over the years. As items age, special consideration must be taken, and they cannot be treated in the same way as modern home furnishings.

The Effect of Heat and Sunlight on Antiques

Where antique items are placed in the home is very important because too much light is damaging to antique furniture. Sunlight can degrade finishes, veneers, wood and fabrics. Antique furniture should be placed out of direct sunlight, and curtains or shades should be used to diffuse or block sunlight on particularly sunny days. Also, where possible, turn pieces of furniture around occasionally to even the fading process.

Avoid placing antique furniture in front of heating and air conditioning vents, radiators, fireplaces or stoves. The heat can cause drying out and shrinking that can loosen glue joints, veneers, inlays and marquetry. Any of these things can significantly decrease the value of the piece.

Moisture and Humidity in the Air

Antique furniture is greatly affected by the amount of moisture in the air. Changes in relative humidity can cause wood to expand and contract, damaging wood and veneers. This expansion and contraction can cause glue joints to loosen, and drawers and doors to become stuck in their openings.

Long periods of high humidity can lead to the growth of mold, rot and even possibly insect infestation. If the climate is humid, the use of a dehumidifier is recommended. Similarly, if it’s too dry, consider using a humidifier. Either way, maintaining relative humidity will minimize any adverse effects that can be caused by too much or too little moisture in the air.

Cleaning and Polishing Antique Furniture

Many people believe that wood needs to be treated with oil to keep it from drying out, but this is really a myth. Furniture oils will temporarily enhance the appearance, but will eventually contribute to the degradation of the finish over time as oils leave a residue that can attract dirt and dust build up.

Do not use a spray polish on antique furniture. These polishes often contain silicone, which can penetrate the finish and will cause problems with future restoration or repairs. They also leave a film behind, and they can cause scratches.

The best way to maintain a finish is with a coat of high-quality antique furniture wax. Furniture wax is long lasting and made specifically for antique woods. A thin coat of wax applied (be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions) once or twice a year will help protect the finish. Let it dry overnight and then buff with a soft cloth. Ask a local antique dealer for their recommended brand.

In between waxing, dust with a soft, lint free cloth on a regular basis. Dampen the cloth slightly (but only slightly), as a dry rag can cause scratches when dusting.

Note: Wax may not be suitable for surfaces with a deteriorating finish. When in doubt, consult a furniture restoration specialist in your area for advice.

Handling and Moving Antique Furniture

When moving antique furniture it's best to first remove shelves, doors and drawers. It will lighten the load and reduce the risk of damage. Protect glass doors with moving blankets or other padding. Here are a few other tips:

Large pieces of furniture should always be lifted and never dragged across the floor. Dragging can cause the loosening of joints.

Chairs should always be carried by the seat rails as opposed to the back splat, top rail or arms.

Tables should be carried by the apron or legs. Never carry tables by the top as it can pull loose from the base.

Marble tops should be removed and transported vertically. A marble top transported laying flat can crack easily. The piece will be destroyed and the mover can get hurt.

Mirrors and glass should also be transported and stored vertically for safety’s sake.

Refinishing Antique Pieces

There are a couple of schools of thought when it comes to refinishing antique pieces. Stripping and refinishing removes the original coating and damages the patina as well. Once removed, it can never be recovered. Patterns of wear indicating the history of use are also lost during the refinishing process. Some people think that this should be avoided at all costs.

On the other hand once a piece is damaged or scratched some of the value is lost, therefore refinishing the piece will help to restore it and bring back some of it’s former glory.

When considering antique furniture restoration, the best thing to do is consult an antique or restoration expert and get their professional opinion.

What Makes an Item Antique?

So what's an antique anyway? Is it just about the age, or is it about quality too? When it comes to buying antiques it's important to know what the term really means.

What is the Definition of Antique?

While some people say that to be classified as an antique an item must predate the Industrial Revolution, that’s not really true anymore. While it’s true that before the Industrial Revolution, items were handmade, and indicative of a certain quality of craftsmanship, as time goes on it’s not really fair to say that items made after this time period cannot be qualified as antique. After all, the word antique really refers to age, not quality.

The rule of thumb of what constitutes an antique, is that to be considered an antique the item must be over 100 years old. This is particularly important when shipping items to other countries because it can have an effect on duties and taxes. 

That said, antiques connoisseurs don’t always care for this definition as it gives no consideration to the quality, style, and craftsmanship of a piece. Just because an item is old, it doesn’t necessarily make it special or valuable. An item that was ugly and of poor quality over a hundred years ago likely still is.

Antique Reproductions

There’s also the issue of reproduction antiques. This is an area that has caused, and will continue to cause, much confusion. In the early 20th century, many pieces of furniture were made in the style of older antiques. Georgian tables, Chippendale chairs, Regency cabinets; you name it, they were reproduced. Up until now, these items were not considered antiques, but with the 100-year rule, some of them now are. But keep in mind, they’re still not originals.

Be careful when buying antiques and reproductions as the prices differ greatly depending on the age and quality of the item. Sometimes people sell reproductions as the ‘real thing’, so deal only with trusted sellers. Anyone who spends enough time around antique furniture and collectibles will develop an eye for them and be able to tell the difference, but until then, only buy from trustworthy sources.

Antiques for Profit

A lot of people think that they can make money from selling antiques, and sometimes this is true, but be wary of buying antique items with the intent only to sell. While antique dealers can make a good living from their hobby, they spend their lives collecting and developing an eye for what is valuable. 

They know what will sell and how to sell it. They also have a certain amount of overhead that must be paid for and factored into prices. Don’t think that just because you saw a similar item for a certain price at an antique store that you will get the same price if you choose to sell. Like with anything else, knowing how to sell antiques comes with research and experience.

When it comes to defining antiques, items must have something special about them; a charisma, a patina, a certain je ne sais quoi that sets them apart from the crowd. Although the definition of the term antique is still a little ambiguous, quality, style, and craftsmanship will always determine the value of a piece.