RESTORING ANTIQUES AND EFFECT OF REPAIRS ON THEIR VALUE
Checking for damage and considering the cost of repairs on all types of antiques or collectibles are primary concerns prior to purchasing an item. Although most faults are repairable, some chronic issues that have evolved over a very long time are natural and should be left alone as any attempts at restoring them may lower the worth of your treasures significantly. For these reasons, knowing if and how to restore antiques & collectibles is of crucial importance, especially if an item is rare or extremely old. It is always essential to weigh the cost of repairs vs. any benefits on its perceived value. Here are some tips and advice related to most categories of antiques in need of some TLC: 1) Bronzes or most metal ware – Old metal acquires a superficial patina over time that could now be an integral part of an item’s character and should be left alone since any attempt at restoring these surfaces will cause a huge drop in value. The same goes for pitting or chunks of oxidation (rust). For specific instructions, see: CARE, CLEANING and CONSERVATION METHODS for ANTIQUE METAL WARE: Useful tips in restoring Antique Lamps, Clocks, Ormolu, Spelter, Bronze etc 2) Antique Porcelain & Chinaware Small breaks or chips can be restored by a trained professional and in most cases these repairs do not affect values adversely. This is quite common, especially with antique Porcelain Figurines that can be delicate and very detailed. Vases, Urns or other larger objects are also amenable to effective repairs. Unglazed Pottery or Clayware can be tricky, so consult Artificial patina on recent Bronze (made with an expert before committing to a by Teresa Hansen Studio, Colorado) purchase. Some very old and authentic Chinese Porcelain (e.g. Ming and prior dynasties) or pre-19thC European Earthenware (e.g Delft-ware) could have some major breaks repaired, but any small chips near rims or the bottom or any tiny flakes should be left as is. Most repairs range from $100 to over a $1,000, so do weigh the benefits vs. costs. However and in any case, do NOT attempt to fix it on your own if you are not a professional restorer; super-glue and the like will make it even harder (and more expensive) to restore later. Vintage
Chinaware & Dinnerware usually needs a good clean and possibly a short dip in diluted bleach to remove any persistent stains or very annoyingly visible crazing. Some crazing is acceptable and at times part of its character. Also, touch-ups with paint or re-drawing some decorative details that may have faded, including restoring any flaked gilding, should be left to a professional; dyes need to be set in a Kiln or by exposing them to UV-light and usually have to be glazed over for further protection. 3) Antique Furniture or vintage Textiles, Rugs or Carpets - Moderate and gentle cleaning is recommended in most cases, just be careful not to alter any of its decorative details. For more detailed instructions on antique Textiles, see: ANTIQUE RUGS or ORIENTAL CARPETS: Care and Repair tips for Collectors. For antique Furniture specifically, an experienced restorer could replace and complete broken or missing parts and sections that would be virtually indistinguishable from the original. Any structural enhancements should also be performed by a professional, who would know what materials to use that do not interfere with the rest of the item in a destructive way [for example, different types of wood expand differently over time and in ways that could further damage adjacent parts]. Surface treatments should be very minimal and you should always ask an expert before applying as it greatly depends on the material and could be catastrophic if using the wrong formula. Professionally restored antique Furniture and Textiles usually benefit from such interventions and recover their value quickly, so in most cases it is worth the expense. 4) Antique Silver or Silverplate - It is acceptable to polish old or new Silver & Silverplated items, including Silver Flatware or Sterling Silverware, Antique Rug in just make sure to desperate need for check your progress repairs often as you are cleaning it to avoid going too far. Aggressive application of any cleaning paste The difference between polished or using harsh brushes, may cause and tarnished Sterling Silverware uninvited scratches and easily destroy or obscure any decorative Chased fine details, especially if lightly Engraved or
Inlaid using the Niello technique. Restoring the proper or near-original sheen on antique Silver or Silverplate usually enhances their value and makes them more attractive to buyers. 5) Collectible Books, Posters or Ephemera - If severe foxing or mildew are prevalent and unless this is a unique and absolutely rare document of historical significance, it is best to skip it. Paper is very difficult to restore. However, book binding or spine issues and most tears can be fixed by an expert. Leather-bound books, especially if in a series of 3 or more volumes,
Before and after photos of an 18thC rare book restored by The Library of Virginia and in good condition (some normal surface or edge wear is fine), are the most desirable and fetch good money at auction, even if the authors or titles are not well known and the interior pages are past their prime - they just look good at anyone’s library and people love them. Hardcover First Editions in good condition are very collectible, especially if signed, whereas later editions, even for a famous title or author, drop in value drastically. Dust Jackets are almost always a must, unless very rare. Paperback editions, even older ones, are usually great for a read on the beach or while riding the Metro, but rarely retain their worth. 6) Fine Art & antique Paintings - Issues with faded or flaked spots, small tears or scratches, partial discoloration and especially accumulated dirt or smoke can be restored by a professional. Costs vary, but usually start upwards of $500 for a relatively mid-sized painting. In most cases, restoring old paintings increases their value considerably, especially for Listed Artists. For older “unknown� paintings, the Frame may sometimes be more valuable than the actual art work, particularly if beautifully embellished with carvings
or gilding that show a nice patina, provided they’re structurally fairly intact. Most old frames can be repaired and enhance their value. 7) Antique Glass or Fine Crystal Collectible vintage Glass Bottles aside that usually just need a good clean, Stemware or Crystal need special care. Breaks can be repaired in principle, but are often precarious and affect structural integrity or can be visible. However, rough rims or small chips near the edges can be wheel-ground and recovered beautifully by an experienced restorer. Such edge treatments are usually not very costly and frequently worth the investment if on well-known brands such as Magnified before-n-after details of a Baccarat, Stueben, Tiffany’s etc. For restored Oil Painting more detailed instructions, see: FINE CUT GLASS & CRYSTAL: The Care and Cleaning of Fine Cut Glass. 8) Antique Lamps & other vintage objets d’art of Mixed Materials Consider each component separately and apply the appropriate remedy for each. Re-electrifying or re-wiring old Lamps according to new code should be a priority, mostly for safety, but also for aesthetic reasons since older wiring & switches are usually unsightly and tattered. Such improvements add to their value. Most other categories or types of antiques & collectibles need to be considered in a more specialized manner. For example, Mechanical, Electronic or Scientific items and Clocks should be repaired mostly to the extent of their structural integrity and less for functionality, and always with minimally evasive means so as not to detract from their beauty as a display piece. The same goes for antique Microscopes or Sundials and also for collectible Guns or Armory. Marble or Limestone statues and other larger outdoor Architectural collectibles should be carefully washed and protected, but unless at a Museum setting, there should be left alone to reveal their age.
About marks4antiques.com - Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary of service, marks4antiques.com is dedicated to providing the largest and most updated research tools to help its members identify and appraise antiques & collectibles. Registered members have access to comprehensive visual reference methods with thousands upon thousands of images of makers’ marks & hallmarks displayed in Shape or Letter Categories for fast access or can use the proprietary Name or Initials Search features. Also includes a huge database of millions of actual auction records and uses a ‘smart’ search that quickly deciphers key terms using advanced software technology to yield accurate and relevant results. The company is located in the San Francisco Bay area since 2004.
An antique Gilt Cast Spelter Clock cased under a Glass Dome that has protected and preserved its patina beautifully