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Documenting items

An inventory, or list of your antiques collection, will be invaluable for keeping a detailed record of each antique in your collection to prove ownership in the event of an insurance claim. New purchases should be documented in an inventory book, and photographed as soon as possible. Keep the receipts of anything you have purchased with your inventory.

To begin an inventory of your collection make a list of every object you wish to include. Then, write down the following information, for each item:

• Where it came from.
• The date it was bought or acquired.
• The price paid for it.
• A full description of the item, including its size, what it's made from, and any decorative features.
• A report of its condition, including cracks, chips, alterations or restoration. This should be updated whenever you have a piece restored.
• Anything else you know about the object's history.

Photographing items

It's also vitally important to have a clear photo of all your antiques. You may want to enlist the help of a professional photographer to photograph your collection. However, if you observe a few simple guidelines it's quite simple to undertake yourself. It's best to photograph objects using colour film,...

Tags: antiques care-security

How many of us take the time to look at some of the wonderful hand-made rugs and carpets that we walk on? Have you ever turned over a rug or opened up the pile to examine the fine knotting used to make these pieces of textile art? The skill and time it takes to make these heirlooms should prompt us to follow a few guidelines that could extend their lives.

General care

Like other textiles, exposing rugs to rapid changes in temperature and humidity is not good. Open fires and treasured floor coverings don't mix. Direct sunlight may result in fading, so if your rug or carpet is in a sunny area, close the curtains at times of bright sunlight. Narrow diameter shoe heels (smaller than a two pence coin), no matter how high or low, cause a great deal of damage both to floors and carpets.

Take care when moving rugs and carpets. There's less chance of damaging the pile if you roll them up with the pile facing outwards.

Adhesive shouldn't be used with textiles. Glued patches do not help the stability of a piece and while underlays may be very useful, they shouldn't have adhesive on them....

Tags: antiques care-rugs and carpets

Patina on arms and armour is the modification of the original surface finishes through age and wear. Cleaning off discoloured varnish or attempting to remove corrosion may drastically alter the condition of the item and significantly affect its value, both historically and monetarily.

Many items had a chemically induced patination applied which has changed its colour, causing blueing or browning. The preservation of this chemical patination, even if it has been subsequently damaged by corrosion, is often critical in determining the condition of the piece.

Handling

Safety is the first consideration - always assume that any firearm may be loaded until you have checked for yourself

Safety is the first consideration - always assume that any firearm may be loaded until you have checked for yourself. Never point a weapon at another person. Gunpowder, nitrocellulose propellants, primer material and other explosives which can be present in larger ordnance (grenades, artillery shells) can deteriorate with age, becoming unstable and extremely dangerous.

Make sure you have a clear, clean, safe area on which to place the object BEFORE you pick it up.

Remember when sheathing and unsheathing bladed weapons not to drag the blade against the side of the sheath as...

Tags: antiques care-arms and militaria

Mounting photos

• Archival-grade supplies like gummed tape, albums and sleeves will help to prolong the life of your photos.
• If you have an old album with photographs in it, you can help to preserve them by layering each page with acid-free tissue or photographic conservation paper.
• It's tempting to write information on the back of a photo, especially in ink. However, it is best to write any information on the back with an HB pencil.
• As well as an archival grade album, use polyester corner mounts. Don't glue photos directly into the album. Instead, lay the photo on the page or weigh the photo down with a clear piece of paper and a weight. Pencil mark the corners and position the corner mounts around the photo. You may need tweezers to do this.
• If there is information you want to include about a photo, you can write it under the photo in pencil or with a fountain pen with a stable ink such as Quink.
• When handling photos, hold them by the edge so you don't touch the emulsion.
• Keep photos in a cool, dry place and out of direct light; beware of insect attack. Regular checks will help save...

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Handling Cleaning

Storage General housekeeping tips

Handling

A textile may be more fragile than it first seems.

• Remove all jewellery or accessories that could catch on a textile.
• To be on the safe side wear white cotton gloves. These can be purchased at chemists and are inexpensive.
• Knowing which areas are weak will help you avoid further problems.
• If a piece of costume is on a hanger, use the hanger to hold it. A strong grasp of a shoulder can cause creasing or splitting.
• If you are moving a small flat textile, you can carry it safely by sliding a piece of clean card underneath.
• Costumes should be carried in a white sheet across the forearms.

Cleaning

It is tempting to approach cleaning antique textiles the same way as one would modern ones but as textiles age they need a different approach.

Even hoovering can cause further damage. The suction could be strong enough to pull the fabric apart. Flat, sturdy textiles may be cleaned by covering them with a microfilament net (make sure the raw edges of the net are covered or they can catch on the fabric) and using a vacuum cleaner on a very low power setting....

Tags: textiles care

Cleaning Repairs

Display Storage

Cleaning

Follow these tips for looking after your antique toys:

• Cleaning should be kept to a minimum. Dust can be removed with a soft brush. Using water on a cracked item can allow water to get into the substrate and cause more damage.
• Never try to 'touch up' items with paint.
• Mohair was often used on 19th-century dolls and this was set using a sugar water solution. Trying to wash and set a doll's hair could remove this original material.
• Doll's clothing is a prime target for cleaning and repairs. The same rules that apply to textiles care are true here. Old textiles do not react to modern cleaning techniques. And using tap water and soap flakes can actually cause damage. Find out more about caring for textiles.
• If you want to make new clothes for a doll, make sure you save all the original clothing. Replica clothing will not give the same historical information and will lower the financial value of the doll if you wish to sell it.

Repairs

We have all seen damaged teddy bears that have been 'loved to death' and then suffered from bad repairs. As they age, the fur will...

Tags: toys care

Looking after antique jewellery can be tricky. Our simple guide helps with the basics.

General care tips

Jewellery can be made from many materials and with many techniques. Because of this, cleaning jewellery should be approached cautiously. Start with gentle, simple brushing with a soft, clean, small paintbrush.

Precious stones can become dirty and a slightly more aggressive cleaning may be needed. It is important first to check that settings are secure. Some pieces can be set with glue and these should not be cleaned with any liquid as it might loosen the setting.

One of the chief causes of 'dirty' stones is hard water. This leaves a chalky residue. If you live in an area of hard water, clean with distilled water and a small amount of diluted washing-up liquid. Use a small, soft and clean paintbrush. Dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.

Make sure you do your cleaning in an area where you could easily recover any piece that becomes detached.

Information courtesy of Sharon Manitta

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General tips

How to mend a knife

Cleaning candlesticks

Contrary to popular belief, silver doesn't tarnish especially rapidly unless items are left in an atmosphere where sulphur is present.

General tips

1. To clean your silver there are a number of safe silver polishes on the market which can be used with a soft cloth.
2. Always make sure that you remove all traces of polish, as it can clog up decorated areas.
3. Pointed swabs designed for applying make-up are very good for getting into difficult areas.
4. Avoid using toothbrushes when cleaning as they could scratch the surface.
5. Don't over polish silver as you may erase decoration and eventually wear the metal thin.
6. If you have to wash your silver do it quickly in luke warm soapy water. Rinse and dry very thoroughly.
7. Never soak your silver or put it in the dishwasher.
8. Wrapping silver in an anti-tarnish cloth will help protect the silver from pollutants and scratches.

How to mend a knife

Sometimes the blade comes away from the handle of a knife. The material binding the two is called 'pitch'. When the blade has come away only an inch or so, or in some cases when the handle has come...

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Cleaning Repairs

Scratches Breakages

General housekeeping tips

Looking after your antiques, ensuring they're displayed, stored and handled correctly is essential to preserving them for future generations. Furniture needs informed care and it's important to remember that furniture isn't just wood; the beauty of wooden furniture is often how the wood is aged as well as the other materials used.

Cleaning

The best way to protect the finish of your piece is to use a good quality beeswax polish. This should be done once a year, or twice a year for heavy use. The wax should be applied sparingly with a soft cloth and the piece polished with another lint-free cloth. A good shine comes from rubbing rather than lots of layers of wax. Don't use silicone based sprays for cleaning as they leave a film that is very hard to remove. Oil-based polishes attract dirt and some might darken the wood. Avoid feather dusters as they can scratch the surface. You should clean intricate areas with a soft brush. Be careful not to catch or pull any decoration that could bend or come off.

Repairs

Repairing furniture is a difficult and highly specialised area. We recommend you contact a qualified...

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Glass care

Cleaning glass

Glass has a natural beauty that, with the right care and attention, can preserved for a long time. As we all know though, it's all too easy to break or chip glass and, while this might not bother you with the day-to-day glass in your kitchen, it's sure to be upsetting if you damage a prized antique.

Glass care

Careless handling and display of glass can result in breakage and chips and cracks developing that will mar its overall beauty. To avoid any disaster, it's worth observing some basic rules.

• Always carry pieces with two hands, ensuring that you remove any loose pieces like lids beforehand.
• Never wash delicate glassware in the dishwasher - the temperature and chemicals are too harsh.
• Don't put glass in hot or cold water. Sudden changes in temperature set up stresses within the glass.
• Avoid putting glass in direct sunlight or near a heat source such as a radiator or spotlight.
• To avoid stains from cut flowers in a vase: change the water every two days, rinse well and remove plant debris before it dries on. Any liquid can stain glass if left in contact too long.

Cleaning glass

Glass should...

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