General advice on buying antique furniture

Please remember that all antique furniture has been used over many years and some restoration and imperfections are to be expected. Our general company policy is that we do not buy items that require extensive restoration. This philosophy applies to dining chairs and similar items, in particular, because if there has been a repaired break in the past, the chair is more susceptible to further breakages in the future with everyday use. In fact, we reject more items than we buy to ensure that our customers receive the best quality possible.

We recommend that you always ask for a detailed condition report when you are considering purchasing an item. You should also ask for all of the major restorations to be pointed out to you. These could include the replacement of the handles or castors, if the item has been significantly re-polished or if any extensive repairs have been made to the woodwork.

We also have in stock booklets published by LAPADA on the care of antiques. These are free and available from us on request.