Tips

Tips – Common Sense for You and Your Antiques

Temperature and Relative Humidity

If the humidity is too high for you, it’s too high for your objects, especially organic objects, such as artwork, wood furniture, textiles, ivory, and fur (to name a few).  Did you know that mold can start to grow in high humidity within just 48 hours? So avoid rapid fluctuations in temperature and humidity – store or display your prized possessions at 68°F and strive for a relative humidity level of 40%-55%.  By the way, the outside wall of your home is more susceptible to temperature changes.

Lighting

Ever wonder why museums tend to be a little darker, or the lighting is just so perfect?  Well, since museum curators can’t put sunscreen on their collections, they strive to provide the best lighting situation to educe too much exposure to natural light (ultraviolet rays).

Frames

Why does framing cost so much? Well, the best framers use acid-free museum-quality mats to avoid discoloration of paper and other fibrous products. A good framer will avoid gluing your art to a board or rigid support because that will decrease the value of your item. (Note, however, that readily available copies of museum posters are often glued down since the value is low). And we know how tempted you are to nail your textiles, rugs and quilts to the wall. Hands off! Spend the money and your framer will help keep your items in great shape for years to come.

Hanging Artwork

So you have moved and have all this great art to hang. First off, please do not hang them 2 inches from the ceiling. Have you ever walked into someone’s home and arched your head back to look at the pictures on the wall? What were they thinking? Your art should be hung at the relative eye level of the room in which it is viewed. For example, since you sleep in your bedroom (or that is the primary use for it), it should be at a comfortable level to your eye while you are in bed. While your are in the dining room, you should be able to view the art comfortably while sitting down as well as standing.

Unless  you like paying for cleaning and restoration, do not – I repeat – do not hang artwork over the fireplace .  You are guaranteed to forget to open the flue. Also avoid hanging art over radiators.

Be sure you use the proper hooks (I like OOK hooks) and that your frames are not loose before hanging.

Storage

While we prefer to store things out of the way. Unless you have taken proper precautions, please step away from the attic and basement. Have you ever heard of floods and locusts? Here’s the lowdown; storing in the wrong place invite environmental factors, in addition to extreme exposure to heat and humidity you invite insects, moths, mice, and other critters.  If in the basement, set items safely on a raised plinth, store framed art with their backs facing together, store unframed art flat with backs facing together (don’t forget your acid-free tissue in between). Roll your rugs and quilts in unbleached cotton or linen, and lastly, if you have sterling silver, invest in silver bags, they’re available at numerous places on-line and at places like Bed, Bath & Beyond; using plastic and rubber bands are definite no-nos.

Handling

Avoid expensive repairs by picking furniture up by the body, not the arms or backs. Avoid putting your feet on the stretchers of chairs. Use two hands – you’ll be much more stable when moving china and crystal.  Keep your fingerprints to yourself and use gloves when handling antiques they’ll be so much happier. The way we handle objects often leads to damage. Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of an accident.

Cleaning Products

Certain cleaning products claim that their products can clean everything. Well, that’s just silly. After all, every woman knows that you must have at least 10 items to clean and maintain your face and that’s just for the morning routine. Same goes for your antiques. Cleaning methods for antiques are numerous and should not be undertaken by amateurs. Talk to reputable conservationists or restorers and find out what they use and recommend. Not only will you be getting good information, but you will establish a relationship with someone who knows which new products are available and changes in the chemistry of existing products. Did you know that polishes containing silicone can hurt your antiques?  We’ll be happy to recommend someone in your area.

Damage

I sure hope you insured your valuables properly. Not that s/he doesn’t have all of the answers, but talk to different agents about your coverage needs. There are insurance companies that specialize in insuring antiques. When damage occurs, take photos…lots of photos.  Call your agent immediately – some damaged items may be able to be repaired or stored if attended to quickly.  If you are our client and we have prepared an insurance appraisal for you, we will not only have photos of the items we appraised, but we generally take full room photos, which may help you remember other items you have lost, either by theft or natural disasters.