November 2025
Moving an antique without unpleasant surprises
Dismantle as little as possible, protect the weak points, allow for acclimatisation.
Transport is when most antiques get damaged. The rule is to dismantle only what is strictly needed: take out drawers and shelves, secure doors, but never unscrew original elements to save space.
The weak points are always the same: veneer corners, cabriole legs, marbles and mirror plates. A marble travels upright on its edge, never flat, and a glass is protected with a cross of low-tack tape.
On arrival, let the piece acclimatise for twenty-four hours before loading or waxing it. Wood moving from a cold van into a heated room shifts considerably during the first hours.