Care and Maintenance

The French Polish finish on all Rita Bucheit, Ltd. antiques is a transparent, hand-rubbed finish composed of multiple coats of a special, natural-flake shellac from India mixed with pure alcohol and essence oils. It allows the wood to breathe, absorbing air, humidity and natural oils as it needs them. Low humidity (under 35%) in the air will in time dry out and bleach your woods, paintings, textiles, etc. In wood this ultimately leads to a cracking in the finish. In textiles, paintings, and other works of art, pigments which become dry will fade and loose their original brilliance. Therefore, sustaining the appropriate humidity levels in one’s environment is imperative in the care of all beautiful collectibles. Careful monitoring of a 35-40% humidity level in the home at all times is important not only for the well-being of one’s fine antiques and furnishings, but also for one’s health. Monitoring this at all times can be made easy with the use of a small LCD indoor thermometer/hygrometer and will ensure the proper functioning of one’s central air conditioning and humidifying systems. For this purpose, we highly recommend recommend the Radio Shack LCD Temperature/Hygrostats, stock no. 63855, at approximately $25 each. Treat your antique wood piece once a month or less (more frequently in seasons of severe dryness) with a furniture polish such as Neupol polish, the brand used and recommended by Rita Bucheit, Ltd. The following directions are for Neupol, however, directions will vary depending upon the brand of polish that you choose. Shake the bottle well before use. Apply a few drops to a soft, clean cloth (use sparingly!). Working on small sections of the piece at a time, rub the polish onto the finish in a circular motion until dry and glossy. This will maintain the brilliance of the wood’s colors and the pliancy of the wood’s texture, and will prevent any unnecessary cracking due to dryness. Neupol is a European polish, however, it may be purchased at Rita Bucheit, Ltd. for $45 per .5 L bottle. Additionally, in order to protect the polished finish, avoid contact with moisture, high temperatures (coffee cups that have been microwaved, etc.), and objects with rough edges. Biedermeier period furniture is of superb quality and craftsmanship which requires continued preservation in order to maintain its original beauty.

Restoration

Another important aspect in the preservation of your antique is restoration. Restoration includes everything from the repolishing of a piece to major repair following mistreatment or accidental damage, and will be required at some point during the lifetime of most antiques. Rita Bucheit, Ltd. hires only the most skilled of craftsmen for our restoration needs. These craftsmen are able to restore not only Empire and Biedermeier, but all manner of fine antique furniture, and they are available for your restoration needs. If you have a piece in need of restoration, please feel free to contact Rita Bucheit, Ltd. for a consultation.