| Antiques can be displayed in a multitude of different | | | | centrally positioned; try and display the piece in an |
| ways, but it is important that the method you select | | | | appropriate manner. |
| should be appropriate to your lifestyle. You may long | | | | If you have a smaller object, say a sculpture, which |
| to display your collection of antiques throughout your | | | | is meant to be seen in the round, and you have |
| home; however, if, for example, you have pets or | | | | nowhere suitable to put it, you could place it in front |
| children, fragile or potentially hazardous objects should | | | | of a mirror, so that it can still be appreciated from |
| probably be kept well out of their reach - perhaps up | | | | every angle. You may find you need to have shelves |
| on a shelf or in a cabinet. | | | | or cupboards specially constructed to house your |
| Bear in mind that not only can children or pets | | | | collection. |
| damage vulnerable and valuable objects, but that | | | | However, before you decide where to install special |
| antiques can also pose a threat to their safety. Even | | | | fittings, do not forget that nearly all types of |
| something as seemingly innocent-looking as an old | | | | antiques, with the exception of ceramics, silver and |
| teddy bear may contain wires that could harm a small | | | | other types of metalware, should be displayed away |
| child. However, so long as you take simple | | | | from strong sunlight and direct sources of heat. So |
| precautions, there is no need to feel frightened of | | | | do not, for instance, display your samplers in front of |
| your collection. Many types of antiques, such as | | | | a sunny window, and try to keep the backs of |
| furniture, glass and silver, can still be used for their | | | | antique furniture away from radiators. |
| original purpose, or adapted for modern-day living. | | | | If your room is a particularly sunny one, objects such |
| Successful display should allow you to enjoy your | | | | as textiles and prints can be displayed behind |
| collection as much as possible, whilst still conserving it | | | | light-resistant glass, which will allow you to enjoy |
| in good condition. Before you decide where to | | | | them whilst protecting them from fading. If you need |
| position your antiques, you should bear in mind how | | | | to mount old photographs, or printed ephemera, in |
| the piece was originally intended to be seen and used. | | | | order to display them behind glass it is best to use |
| Some pieces of furniture, for instance, were made to | | | | mounting tape rather than glue, which can irreversibly |
| be placed against a wall, others were meant to be | | | | damage the objects themselves. |