| One of the most significant characteristic of any | | | | glass is not advisable. It is more appropriate to handle |
| antique item is its age. Since antiques have been | | | | antiques of this type using your clean hands. It is |
| passed down from one generation to the next, | | | | good to know that sunlight and humidity would not |
| these items easily undergo daily wear and tear. Thus, | | | | affect the condition of some antique ceramics and |
| any antique item demands considerable care to | | | | glass. To determine sensitive antique items, you must |
| preserve and protect its timeless value. | | | | seek the advice of an antique expert. |
| While a professional antique restorer is recommended | | | | Store antique ceramics or glass in sturdy shelves. The |
| for more intricate and detail-oriented method of | | | | most common problem with antique ceramic or glass |
| antique restoration, you can also do your part to help | | | | is breakage. Therefore, extra care must be given in |
| maintain the artistic and historical value of your | | | | its storage. You must never place antique ceramic or |
| collection. Read on some tips on how to clean | | | | glass in unstable cabinets. In case of accidental |
| precious antique pieces. | | | | breakage, place each piece even the smallest one in |
| Direct sunlight is a no-no for antique furniture. You | | | | acid-free tissue and bring to an experienced antique |
| should never display antique furniture in direct sunlight | | | | restorer. You must never repair damaged antique |
| or beside air-conditioning or heating units. The heat | | | | pieces on your own to avoid devaluation. |
| that comes from these sources will deteriorate the | | | | Regularly polish antique silver and metal pieces. |
| fragile state of the antique piece. Place antique | | | | Antique silver and metal items are extremely delicate. |
| furniture in cool areas or better yet ask antique | | | | Antique items made from these materials can react |
| experts of how to properly display your piece. Note | | | | to natural conditions and may result to corrosion, |
| that different types of wood require different | | | | scratches, dents and fractures. Regular and proper |
| temperature to maintain its elegance. | | | | cleaning through polishing with soft cloth will reduce |
| Use soft, lint-free cloth for polishing. Soft and lint-free | | | | the difficulty of maintaining the items' patina. You |
| cloth should be used when polishing antique pieces. | | | | should use protective gloves when handling antique |
| You should never polish antiques the way you may | | | | silver and metal to avoid tarnishing due to body |
| polish your modern pieces. Remember that antiques | | | | sweat. |
| are old and can easily be torn, scratched or broken if | | | | Store antique jewellery separately. Antique jewellery |
| mishandled. | | | | is extremely delicate. A piece of jewellery is possible |
| Move antique furniture with care. Because of the | | | | to be made up of several types of precious stone or |
| furniture's sensitive condition, you should only move | | | | metal in which one would adversely affect each |
| antique pieces when you really have to and only with | | | | other through time. This is why you should not store |
| utmost care. Otherwise, let the furniture stay in one | | | | several pieces of antique jewellery in just one box. |
| corner of your house to lessen the probability of | | | | Make sure that you have a separate box for each |
| accidental breaking. | | | | piece to avoid chemical reaction. |
| Use your hands when dealing with antique ceramics | | | | Hire the expertise of an antique jeweller. Small |
| or glass. Cleaning antique ceramics and glass is quite | | | | jewellery pieces make it almost impossible to clean, |
| simple just by using lint-free cloth for regular dusting. | | | | so an experienced jeweller specializing in antiques is |
| However, unlike antique furniture pieces, wearing | | | | recommended to handle these items. |
| protective gloves in handling antique ceramic and | | | | |