CARE & RESTORATION
Gesso is plaster-based and therefore highly susceptible to
water and moisture. Once the gesso becomes damp it will perish and the piece of
furniture will have to be both regessoed and thus regilded. Do not hang gessoed
mirrors on damp walls, in bathrooms, or in rooms with a high degree of
humidity. When dusting elaborately carved gilt furniture use a light feather
duster rather than a cloth to avoid breaking off pieces of decoration and gilt.
With painted furniture a damp cloth can be used, but never solvents. Afterwards
a light coat of wax should be applied, but pay attention to any flaking
decoration. Restoration and Repair At some time you may need the services of a
restorer. However, it can be a false economy to go with the cheapest estimate
as once a piece of furniture has been badly restored and the colour spoilt
there is very little that can be done to rectify someone else's mistakes!
Ideally select a member of the British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association
(BAFRA, or Australian equivalent, such as FIAA), who will have been vetted and, should a
dispute arise, there is a structured complaints procedure. It is always a good
idea to ask to see examples of previous restoration work or seek
recommendations from a previous client. All restorers will be happy to provide
a written quotation before work commences.
A George III chest of drawers, found in an outhouse where
the damp had caused the glue to perish, the feet to fall off and the veneer to
peel. All furniture will need to be put in a workshop at some stage. Drawers
that do not run easily have worn runners but their life can be prolonged by
applying candle wax to the runners and sides of drawers. This can be done at
home. Every 30 or 40 years chairs need to be knocked apart, the old glue
cleaned off and the joints reglued and re-assembled. The work must be
undertaken once chairs become noticeably loose, as at
this stage it is a standard restoration task. If left, the
chair will get worse, and eventually collapse, possibly breaking joints in the
process and incurring extra expense as false tenons will have to be cut to
repair the shattered joints. Daily Care Climate can affect furniture greatly
although it is more to do with very dry air than soaring temperatures. Should
table leaves warp they should be put in a damp atmosphere and hopefully they
will straighten themselves. If card or tea tables develop a 'smile', open them
up overnight and by the morning they should have straightened up. If this does
not work they will have to be straightened by a qualified restorer, who will
remove the core material from the inside down to the exterior veneer then lay
the old surface veneer on to a new, stable, flat piece of timber. As this is a
very costly process, it is wise to remove all furniture from direct strong
sunlight, allow a room a few draughts and, if furniture is beginning to move,
invest in a small humidifier. By taking care in the day-to-day handling of
furniture costly accidents can be avoided. When moving a chest, never lift it
by the top as this can result in the top breaking away from the base, always
open a drawer and lift it by the carcase. Be aware of drawers in side tables
which, if the table is tipped forward when moved, may crash to the floor. Never
rock back on chairs as this puts great strain on the joints. When transporting
furniture always wrap it with a clean blanket to avoid damage and scratches. To
avoid damage to yourself it is important to lift furniture by bending the knees
and not the back and, when lifting a bookcase, never put your hand on the glass
doors. Always put small felt pads under the feet of clocks, caddies etc to stop
them scratching the furniture. Never lock a bureau fall, because if someone
decided to break into it the damage to the furniture could be more than the
value of the goods taken from it. Also never lock a piece of furniture when it
is in transit, as a jolt can jam the lock resulting in a major operation to
release it. Keep an eye out for woodworm. If small piles of sawdust appear the
worm is live. The best remedy is to contact a reputable company and arrange for
the piece to be fumed for 48 hours under pressure. This will not damage the
timber or upholstery but is guaranteed to kill the worm. Antique furniture,
like property, was here before us, and will be here after us. To enable future
generations to enjoy it as much as we do, it is our duty to cherish and care
for it throughout our own lifetime.
