The field notes / category
70 published guides on repair, care and the stories behind well-made things.
A conservation-minded guide to identifying antique furniture escutcheons, cleaning them without stripping surface evidence, and choosing sympathetic repairs or replacements.
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Learn to read white and dark water rings on antique furniture, test the finish safely, avoid risky home remedies, and know when to call a conservator.
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Care for slate furniture tops by supporting weight, avoiding oils and acids, and distinguishing natural cleavage from cracks and old coatings.
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Care for antique mirror glass and silvering by protecting edges and backing, cleaning the front minimally and handling plates with proper support.
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Care for pewter inlay and mounts by preventing abrasion, corrosion and lifting while preserving patina and adjacent historic finishes.
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Protect veneered antique furniture from humidity damage by stabilising conditions and recognising lifting, blistering, cracking and substrate movement.
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Quarantine antique furniture safely using inspection, isolation, monitoring and targeted treatment rather than routine pesticide spraying.
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Care for bone and ivory furniture mounts through lawful identification, stable conditions, gentle handling and specialist treatment of cracks and lifting.
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Care for papier-mâché furniture by controlling humidity, supporting structure and protecting japanned paint, gilding and mother-of-pearl decoration.
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Care for steel furniture hardware by controlling moisture, retaining tool marks and finish, and treating active rust without damaging wood.
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Understand how radiators damage antique furniture through heat, low local humidity and cycling, and learn safer placement and monitoring.
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Care for ormolu and gilt-bronze mounts by preserving gilding, patina, chasing and original fixings while avoiding abrasive polishing.
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