Antique know-how
How to check the “steal” you’ve spotted is real and ways to care for your precious find…
Wear & care
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Never place oriental antiques in direct sunlight – colours can fade or alter.
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Avoid placing antique furniture next to radiators, air conditioning units or open windows, as they can be affected by changes in temperature.
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Hot dishes should never be placed directly onto furniture surfaces, however accidents do happen. If a white ring appears, cover it in beeswax for a few hours. Remove and repeat until the mark is reduced or disappears completely. If beeswax doesn’t help, try Old English polish. My Friend’s House
Spotting a fake
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Look inside the piece and turn it around to find an unfinished part. That’s where you’ll see the texture, grain and the real colour of the wood. Sometimes a table top can look antique, until the flip side reveals new wood.
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In the past, less expensive wood was often used in places where it wouldn’t show – such as a cupboard’s interior. If there’s no sign of secondary wood, this could indicate the item was just recently constructed.
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If the piece is old, it was likely made from one solid plank of wood or planks of varying widths. Perfectly-sized boards indicate a new build.
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The unique patina or “glow” wood develops over the years is nearly impossible to simulate. Most antique furniture isn't the same colour all over. Grooves and carved elements of the piece will look darker, while the surfaces exposed to sunlight will be lighter.
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Check the feet of the piece. After centuries of standing on damp floors and being moved about, they should show signs of wear and tear.
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Look for dovetail joints. This is where notches are cut within the wood, so the pieces fit together like a puzzle. This construction method is rarely used today and indicates the piece was constructed by master craftsmen. Original pieces also typically use wooden dowel pins, rather than metal. Past Perfect Collection
Choosing a Chinese wedding basket
These decorative containers were traditionally used to hold a Chinese bride’s dowry. Split into three layers they’re octagonal or round in shape and are now sold as curios or antiques, depending on their grade of quality. A good quality piece will be decorated with intricate gold gilding still in place; newer pieces are brighter in colour than their original counterparts. Hidden Treasures
Caring for antique Chinese furniture
Keep cracks in antique furniture at bay with these handy tips…
It’s a myth that Chinese antique furniture does not crack or “move”. All wood – whether old or new – is organic. The degree to which a piece of furniture will move depends on the type of wood used, the original skill and method of carpentry used and any external conditions. But regular maintenance will go a long way to ensuring your oriental treasure retains its beauty.
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Never place antique furniture in an air-conditioned environment for 24 hours a day. Some degree of humidity is necessary to ensure the wood doesn’t dry out.
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To avoid the wood drying out, placing a water feature nearby to help retain moisture. Place a small dish of water inside the item, fill a crystal vase with water and cut flowers, or even place a water feature nearby.
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Avoid standing your antique furniture in direct sunlight and always maintain its sheen with natural beeswax rather than furniture polish. Elliott’s Antiques
Antique or reproduction?
It’s not necessarily cheaper to have reproduction furniture made, rather than buying an antique piece. Most antique dealers travel frequently to source items for their own shops and many will try their best to locate a specific article on your behalf. Mu Dan
