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Darius Antique Restoration Conservation
Tel: 646 221 3712.


Keep furniture in a stable environment. Furniture oils are not recommended for maintenance because many of them contain linseed oil or other drying oils, and when used repeatedly will create a gummy, insoluble surface coating that darkens and obscures the grain of the wood. Other furniture polishes contain non-drying oils such as lemon oil and although they do not harden or darken, they nevertheless attract and entrap dirt and grime. Silicone polishes are also not recommended because they leave a film that is difficult to remove and can interfere with future finish treatments. The best maintenance for clear and varnished furniture is a coating of good paste wax. Wax is a very stable material that does not change chemically over time and provides protection from moisture and airborne pollutants. I recommend a very thin coat of Goddard’s Antique Furniture Polish once every three months, because it has no silicon in it but beeswax. Every day clean it with feather duster.
I recommend you buy a solid cardboard table protector with felt made to fit your table. You can buy this in Gracious Home located at 1220 Third Ave @ 70th St tel: 212 517 6300
Antique keep away from heat sources such as furnace vents, fireplaces, warm lights and direct sunlight.
The recommended temperature and humidity levels for the storage and display of furniture are as follows:
Temperature 70-75 degrees F, humidity 35%-65%. Inexpensive humidity sensors can be purchased from Gracious Home.
Before moving a piece of furniture, examine it for loose or damaged joinery. Once you have ascertained that it is safe to move, remove elements such as shelves, doors and drawers. If doors cannot be removed, d apron or legs rather than by the top, which could possibly detach. Chairs should be lifted by the seat rails and not by the arms or crest rail. When moving a large piece, be sure to lift it and not drag it across the floor, because excessive lateral pressure on legs and feet can cause them to shear off or leg joinery to fail. Furniture should always be grasped at its most sturdy area. For example, chairs should be grasped by the seat not by the chair back or arms. Furniture should be lifted not dragged. Dragging can place stress on the legs and feet of a chair or table.
Every effort should be made to protect furniture surfaces. Drink coasters or glass table tops can help to prolong the life of finishes on tables that are routinely used. If glass tops are used, place felt or rubber tabs between the glass and table top to prevent the glass from sticking to the furniture finish.
Furniture should be exhibited and stored in a dim area where bright light is not allowed to fall on them. Excessive light can also accelerate the aging and degradation of finishes resulting in a cracked, brittle or "aligatored" appearance.
Extensive cleaning of severely damaged or darkened finishes should generally be carried out by a professional conservator
Owners of antique furniture should consider maintaining the original finishes on their furniture and antiques whenever possible. Original finishes are often viewed as a part of the historical value of an antique and preferred over stripped and refinished, or heavily restored antiques.
1. The first step in cleaning should always be dust removal No Windex. No ironing. No dripping perfume or alcohol. Wash with dish soap and immediate dray.
2. If wet cleaning is necessary and the finish is in good condition, the safest method of cleaning is the use of a dilute detergent.
After the surface is completely dry a high quality wax such as Renaissance Wax could be applied with a rag or brush.
Upon drying (approx. 15 min.) the waxed surface should be lightly buffed with a diaper or a clean, soft shoe polishing brush.
Found, the object should be placed in a plastic bag and isolated until it can be examined by a professional conservator.
www.ugallery.org Darius

1999 Darius Gubala

After and before Georgian mahogany desk