Advice Courtesy of LAPADA   

Polishing, Cleaning and Dusting

A patina on the surface, built up over many years and even with old marks and damage, is part of the character and value of a piece of furniture and should be preserved. If the surface is badly damaged and needs restoration, consult a specialist dealer for advice.

Waxing with a good quality polish based on beeswax (not spray polishes), brings out the colour and grain of the wood and provides protection. Put a small amount of polish on a soft cloth and rub the piece until the wax on the cloth shines.This will burnish the surface and evaporate any solvent.Then polish with a clean duster. If possible, apply the wax at night to allow it to nourish the wood and polish the following day. If the wood has become very dry, the wax will soak in rapidly and should be applied regularly until a good patina has developed. Normally, wax polish need not be used more than once every few months as too much wax will cause dullness and absorb dust. However, frequent dusting is important using a clean, dry, soft duster.This will encourage a hard skin to form which enhances the patina.

If cleaning is necessary, for example on a dining room table, use a soft damp cloth or a clean chamois leather well wrung out. A weak solution of vinegar diluted in water can be used to clean more thoroughly but only on polished, undamaged wood. After cleaning, wipe again with a clean cloth rinsed in clear water and dry immediately with absorbent paper or a soft dry cloth.

Spillages and wet rings left by glasses should be dealt with as soon as possible. Always allow areas that have become wet to dry thoroughly, which may take up to a week, before applying clear wax. If wax is applied while the wood is still damp more will be absorbed on the damp patch than the surrounding area and will then darken, leaving the appearance of an ink stain.

White rings left by glasses on polished wood can sometimes be removed with a little Brasso applied with a soft cloth. Always work on a small area first in order to be sure the process is not damaging the surface. Candlewax can be lifted off in a slab when cold or can be warmed with a hot-water bottle wrapped in a clean cloth and then removed with a fingernail.

Brass mounts and handles should not be polished with metal cleaners which can harm the wood around them and remove any water gilding. A light burnishing while dusting should be enough to keep them bright. The gold finish on ormolu (gilded bronze) is very delicate and should not be polished. It should be handled as little as possible, as the acid in fingerprints can damage gilding, but it can be dusted gently with a soft brush.

Upholstery should be vacuumed regularly to guard against a build-up of dust and pests.

Enviromental Conditions - Light, Central Heating and Humidity

Sunlight and humidity as well as central heating and pollutants in the air can affect organic materials like wood, fabric and leather. Therefore it pays to give a little thought to the environment in which furniture is kept and to examine it from time to time to check for damage.

Do not to keep fine furniture in strong sunlight which will fade its colour. Roller sun blinds cut out rays of the sun without darkening a room, or curtains can be drawn during the day when a room is not in use.

Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can damage furniture, especially inlaid or veneered pieces. Central heating dries the air so the moisture needs replacing.

Humidifiers can be readily bought, ranging from simple devices that clip on radiators to sophisticated electric models. Even placing a bowl of water near the furniture can be of help. Damp rooms can also cause problems which can be avoided by using a dehumidifier. The ideal humidity level is around 50 to 55 per cent and this can be checked with humidity indicator cards, strips or a garden hygrometer.

The room temperature should be kept as constant as possible, with central heating left on low at night. Rooms should be kept well aired. If, in spite of precautions, furniture starts to warp or split, do catch the problem early and contact a professional restorer immediately.

Pest Control

The eggs of the wood beetle are laid in crevices in wood and hatch into larvae (woodworm) which eat into the wood leaving small tunnels before emerging as beetles and flying away, usually during the summer months.

This is therefore the best time to check for freshly bored holes and tell-tail deposits of dust which indicate active infestation.This should be dealt with as soon as possible before the problem spreads.

The traditional method of treatment is to apply fluid to kill the eggs on the unfinished surfaces of the wood only as solvent in the fluid will damage waxed, varnished, lacquered or painted surfaces. A 'low odour' product is as effective as others. After treatment, the worm holes can be filled with soft wax to disguise their presence.

There is also a warm air treatment called Thermolignum (www.thermolignum.com) that involves no chemicals or toxins and permanently de-infests any organic material from all animal pests. Other modern treatments for woodworm are available from specialist firms throughout the country.

Moving and Handling

Antique furniture should be treated with care and respect. Never tilt back on a chair, open a drawer using only one of two handles or drag furniture rather than lift it. Do not lift a table from the top surface but from the lowest part of the main frame. Chairs should be picked up from under the seat.

Restoration

Honest and sympathetic restoration is quite acceptable for antique furniture. However, it should only be done by reputable professional restorers who will use the correct traditional materials. Chipped or lifted veneers should be professionally repaired as soon as possible.

Only water-soluble wood glue should be used for minor repairs undertaken at home. Small chips of wood, veneer etc. can be held in place with masking tape (not sellotape) while glue is setting or prior to professional restoration.

Drawers and doors which stick can be eased by rubbing candlewax on the surface. Dry, cracked leather on desk-tops can be revitalised with a lanolin and beeswax preparation after spot-testing a small area to ensure it does not stain. Clear neutral shoe cream or leather cream can also be used.

Free Mainland UK Delivery on all Desks and Tables

We offer free delivery for our antique desks and antique writing tables to Mainland UK addresses and cost effective World Shipping to your door.
We also offer airfreight and sea feight quotes for world Wide Delivery door to door.
Please email your delivery address with Post Code or Zip Code and we will send you a quote for delivery within 48 hours.

Delivery Quotes for Antique Desk Chairs and Library Chairs:
Please email your delivery address with Post Code or Zip Code and we will send you a quote for delivery within 48 hours.

Do you wish to sell an Antique Desk Chair or Library Chair?
Do you have an antique desk, writing table or desk chair that you would like to sell? If so please send photos and details of size and condition to us and ask for a no obligation quote.
If its something we are looking for we will be happy to offer a fair price collect and pay you usually within 7 - 10 days. We look forward to hearing from you!

About Burrells Antique Desks:

We are a small family business with over 35 years experience in the antique furniture business. Our success is based on careful selection of good quality stock and ensuring it is traditionally and sympathetically restored to enhance its beauty and retain its value. We buy with the customer in mind and offer serviceable, good quality furniture that will look good, last well and retain its value.

We stock antique desks, writing tables, library tables and chairs in a variety of styles and sizes from English periods: Regency, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian; in Mahogany, Oak, Walnut, Burr Walnut and Rosewood. As a family run antique furniture business we pride ourselves in offering a professional and friendly service to all our customers.

Returns Policy for UK Customers:

We are confident that you will be happy with your antique furniture from us, but in the unlikely event you are not happy you can return it to us. Please contact us as soon as you have any concerns so that we can discuss it and decide how to resolve the matter with you.

If the reason for return is due to our description being at fault in any way we will off course accept the piece back when we have established the problem with you.

If the reason for return is because you have changed your mind for any reason we will accept the piece back within 7 days of you receiving the piece. In this instance the customer will be responsible for paying for the return of the item back to us.

Questions relating to UK Deliveries

Viewing by appointment only at Studio House, 143 Chester Road South, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1XB - Near Junction 5 of M5 and junction 1 of M42

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