As a multicultural port city with over 300 years of history, the New Orleans of today maintains its charm through the lasting craftsmanship of the New Orleans of old. An appreciation for the well-built and exquisitely designed furnishings of the past is evident in the number and quality of local antique dealers and the proliferation of antique furniture and lighting in historic local homes and businesses. Each piece tells a story, and part of that story is present in its scratches, dents, discoloration, or missing parts.
While age alone does a number on hand-crafted works of the past, New Orleans’s humid climate and propensity for pests can exacerbate the deterioration of antiques. But as owners, heirs, or custodians of these items, is that flaw or imperfection the story we want to tell? What if that part of the story means that the piece doesn’t function? Perhaps the chair is missing a leg or the lamp doesn’t light. How does a person know when to fix an item, when to restore an item, and whether or not they’re the same thing?
Stepping into the world of antique restoration and conservation can lead down countless rabbit holes, and while the internet offers an answer for everything, it’s not always—or often in this case—the best answer. So, let’s start with the basics. What does it mean to conserve versus restore an antique? According to Bill Rau, third-generation owner and CEO of M.S. Rau, conservation is about prevention—protecting an object from future damage and extending its life. Restoration, meanwhile, is taking corrective measures and addressing existing issues to return a work to its intended appearance.
Merchant House founder Rosa Dunlap offers some examples; to prevent further deterioration, conservation efforts might include gluing a wood split to prevent a fracture, using oil and steel wool on rust to prevent further decay, or supporting a fragile quilt with backing fabric to prevent further tears. Does that mean you should do those things? Not necessarily. But maybe. Confusing, right?
According to Rau, the first place to start with your potential conservation or restoration project is asking yourself, “Why?” Are you trying to protect the value, improve function, or better enjoy the piece?…