Caring for Antiques: Our Prep Before a Piece Reaches You

 

Antique and vintage pieces don’t arrive to us ready for a new life in your home. Each object - whether it’s a scroll, temple bronze, carved chest or lacquerware box - goes through careful evaluation and preparation before we show it in the shop or send it to you.

This guide walks you through what happens behind the scenes at Far East Finds and explains what white glove delivery means for your larger antiques.

1. First, We Evaluate: Authenticity, Character, and Condition

When we source an antique or vintage piece, our first step is to decide whether it belongs in Far East Finds at all.

We look at:

• Overall authenticity and coherence
  Does the design, material, and construction align with the period and region the piece suggests? Are age, wear and patina consistent (rather than artificially “distressed”)?
• Character and story
  Does the piece have a clear presence—composition, carving, brushwork, or form that stands out? Can we imagine it anchoring a room, altar or wall in a meaningful way?
• Condition and structural soundness
  Are there cracks, repairs or missing elements? Are joints, mounts and hardware stable enough for safe display or can they be sympathetically stabilized?

Only pieces that pass this first filter move on to the next stage. We’d rather list fewer, stronger antiques than offer everything we encounter.

2. Gentle Cleaning, Not Restoration to “Like New”

Our goal is to respect age and patina, not erase it.

Typical prep steps:

• Surface dust and loose dirt
  We remove surface dust and loose debris with soft brushes and lint-free cloths. For scrolls and delicate surfaces, we avoid liquids and harsh tools entirely.
• Light cleaning only where appropriate
  On metal pieces, we may do a very minimal wipe to remove grime, but we do not polish away the natural patina. On wood, we avoid heavy sanding or refinishing; if any conditioning is done, it’s with restraint so the original finish and wear remain visible.
• No overpainting or “touching up” details
  We do not repaint figures to make them look new. If you see worn gilding, softened details or exposed underlayers, that’s intentional: it’s how the piece truly is.

If a piece has more serious structural or conservation needs, we either handle it with a professional conservator or clearly describe its condition so you can decide whether it’s right for you.

3. Checkpoints for Structural Safety

Especially for larger temple antiques and furniture, we run through a practical safety checklist before listing:

• Stability and joints
  Does it sit flat? Is it wobbling or leaning? Are joints, hinges or dowels tight enough for everyday use or safe display?
• Hanging and hardware (where applicable)
  For wall pieces, we note the existing hanging system and whether it’s sufficient, or if you’ll want your own hardware (for example, a French cleat, wall anchors, or a professional hanger for very heavy works).
• Edges and surfaces
  We check for sharp edges, protruding nails or hardware that might need to be filed down or covered.

Anything that fails basic safety is either corrected in a sympathetic way or described with clear notes about limitations (e.g., “decorative use only,” “not suitable as a functional bench,” etc.).

4. Documentation: Photos and Honest Descriptions

Unlike new items, every antique is one of one. Clear documentation is part of how we care for them.

We aim to show:

• Multiple angles
  Front, side, back and close-ups of important details, including faces, inscriptions, seals, carvings and inlays.
• Wear and patina
  Close-ups of areas with visible wear, old repairs, chipped lacquer, foxing on paper, or hairline cracks in wood.
• Scale and proportion
  Measurements in inches/centimeters, and, where possible, photos that show context (for example, next to a chair or on a console).

In descriptions, we highlight:

• Materials, likely origin, subject and approximate period where we can state them with confidence.
• Notes like “wear consistent with age,” “original polychrome traces,” or “later repainting” when relevant.
• Any functional limitations (e.g., “door sticks slightly,” “lid does not close flush,” “recommended for display rather than daily storage”).

The goal is for you to feel that the piece in your home matches or exceeds the piece you saw online—never the other way around.

5. Packing and Shipping: How We Protect Antiques in Transit

Smaller and mid-sized antiques are typically shipped via standard carriers, but with extra precautions:

• Wrap and cushion
  Pieces are wrapped in soft materials (paper, bubble, foam) with special attention to protruding elements like hands, corners or finials. We cushion all sides inside the box to minimize movement.
• Double-boxing for fragile items
  Particularly delicate or heavy pieces may be placed in an inner box with padding, then into a larger outer box with additional cushioning.
• Clear labeling
  We mark boxes as fragile and indicate orientation (this side up) where it matters.

For scrolls and framed works:

• Scrolls are rolled carefully and cushioned at the ends so knobs and rollers are protected.
• Framed works are padded around corners and glass (if any), and may be double-boxed depending on size and weight.

6. What “White Glove Delivery” Means for Larger Antiques

For heavier, more complex or higher-value antiques—such as large temple chests, altar tables, big bronzes or architectural pieces—we use white glove delivery rather than a standard parcel service.

White glove delivery typically includes:

• In-home delivery (not curbside)
  A specialized delivery team brings the piece all the way inside your home, rather than leaving it at the curb, building entrance or doorstep.
• Room-of-choice placement
  The team will carry the item into the room you specify (within reasonable access limits—stairs, narrow hallways, etc.). This is especially important for heavy temple furniture, niches and large statues that aren’t easy to move on your own.
• Basic unpacking and debris removal
  They usually remove outer packing materials and take the packaging away, leaving you with the piece in place and less mess to handle. If you prefer to keep the packing for storage, you can let them know.
• Appointment scheduling and coordination
  Deliveries are often scheduled in a time window, with advance notice, so you can be present to guide where the piece goes.

What white glove delivery usually does not include:

• Major assembly or installation work (like mounting a piece high on a wall or bolting something into structural elements). For heavy wall-mounted items, we still recommend hiring a local professional installer who understands your walls and hardware.

7. How You Can Care for Your Piece Once It Arrives

Our prep is the first half of care; your environment is the second.

General guidelines:

• Light and climate
  Keep antiques out of harsh direct sunlight and away from intense heat sources or damp areas. Moderate, stable temperature and humidity are ideal.
• Cleaning at home
  Dust with a soft, dry cloth or brush. Avoid household cleaners, polishes, or oils on antique finishes unless you’re following a conservator’s advice.
• Handling and moving
  Lift from strong structural points (legs, base, central body), not delicate extremities. For heavy pieces, enlist help or use professional movers—especially if stairs are involved.

If you’re ever unsure about how to place or care for a specific antique from our shop, you can reference our category guides (scrolls, temple pieces) or contact us with the product link so we can give case-by-case advice: info@fareastfinds.com

Shipping & White Glove Delivery

We treat each antique as a one-of-a-kind piece and pack it with care. Smaller and mid-sized items ship via standard carriers with extra padding and, when needed, double boxing. Fragile elements such as scroll knobs, carved details and corners receive additional protection inside the box.

For larger or heavier antiques—such as temple chests, altar tables, large bronzes or architectural elements—we typically arrange white glove delivery. This service includes:

• In-home delivery (not curbside) — The delivery team brings the piece inside your home, rather than leaving it at the curb or building entrance.
• Room-of-choice placement — Within reasonable access limits (stairs, narrow halls, doorways), the team will place the item in the room you specify.
• Basic unpacking and debris removal — In most cases, outer packing materials are removed and taken away for you. If you prefer to keep the packing, you can let the team know.

Please note that white glove delivery does not usually include installation requiring tools or structural work (for example, mounting a very heavy piece high on a wall). For complex installations, we recommend working with a local professional installer.