As time goes by, relics appear that were once unimaginable. Objects that in their day were considered ordinary but that today, full of information, memories and the marks of time, become part of an invaluable legacy that has to be protected. How fragile antiques are is not something to be disregarded. Objects considered antique often show wear that makes packing, storing and transporting them far more difficult. When an antique is moved from one place to another, the effects of time make the job harder and mean that special considerations have to be taken into account.
01 Which objects are considered antiques?
The various objects that come down to us from antiquity are what we know as antiquities, more specifically those from the Mediterranean civilisations, such as ancient Greece and Rome, ancient Egypt and the other cultures of the Near East. Even so, artefacts from earlier periods such as the Mesolithic, as well as those from other civilisations in Asia and elsewhere, can also be covered by the term. The phenomenon of placing a high value on ancient artefacts begins in China, where the bronze pieces used in Chinese ritual, between three and two thousand years old, were eagerly collected and imitated over centuries. Likewise, in the pre-Columbian cultures of Mesoamerica, artefacts of the older Olmec civilisation were found buried at significant sites of later cultures right up to the Spanish conquest. That gives us an idea of what is classically considered an antiquity, but the definition of the term is not very precise. Definitions often vary from one institution to another: the antiquities departments of museums, for instance, often cover later periods. Non-artistic artefacts are now less likely to be called antiquities than in earlier periods, and the art trade reflects the modern use of the word antique. Many definitions cover objects of civilisation up to the Middle Ages, and from Western Europe to the Caspian Sea, taking in the cultures of Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Near East. Because there are so many shades of meaning in defining what may be considered an antiquity, the term is little used in formal academic discussion, although work is being done to standardise it. Most of the pieces considered antiquities have been recovered through archaeological work and belong to private or museum collections. Very often, however, family heirlooms such as antique furniture handed down from generation to generation, which form part of valuable memories of happy and sad moments, are the antiques of most value to us.
02 Recommended methods for moving antiques
Moving antiques is a real challenge. For that reason, experts have devised certain methods that make it possible to meet it successfully. If you have to move your antiques, start by making an inventory of your antique furniture, in order to have a better picture and keep better track of your precious possessions. Make sure to note not only the name and location of each individual item but any other relevant information too, such as the year and place of manufacture, the maker, the material, its original purpose, its first owner and its approximate value, among other details. Most important of all, make a clear description of the antique’s present condition, specifying any existing damage, which can be backed up with high-resolution photographs of the piece. After the inventory, it is advisable to have your antiques valued and to buy suitable insurance, since it is of the utmost importance to have your valuable antiques fully insured while they are in transit. After those preliminaries, plan every detail of the move in advance: the better prepared you are, the less likely you are to run into unexpected problems during the actual relocation of your antiques. Find safe routes from the present site to the new one, and measure the dimensions of your furniture and of the doorways to make sure your antiques will fit through without trouble. In many cases the best course is to arrange specialist removal services and give up the idea of relocating them yourself. After those steps you should prepare your furniture for the move: empty any pieces that may hold objects, and clean them thoroughly several days beforehand. Inspect the furniture carefully to identify any potentially problematic part, such as weakened elements, loose interior pieces or unsecured parts, among other details, and share all that information with the experts who will be able to help you. Packing antique furniture is not child’s play. Experienced packers will use the most suitable packing materials and the most efficient packing techniques to prepare your valuable antiques for shipment as quickly and safely as possible. Not only will that save a great deal of time and effort, it will also guarantee your peace of mind and deliver your treasured furniture to your new home in excellent condition. If you do need to pack your antique pieces yourself, you are advised to dismantle the furniture as far as possible, to secure it properly by fixing loose parts, closing doors and using plastic wrap, and to protect the surfaces and guard against possible knocks. Finally, check the most suitable methods of transport and get to work.
03 Antique packing and transport services
The process of moving antiques is known to be a fairly risky undertaking. Too many things could go wrong, and too many circumstances beyond your control can ruin even the most carefully planned relocation. Since the integrity of your consignment is the main concern throughout the whole period of transition, especially where extremely delicate and vulnerable items such as antiques are involved, you need to find the packing and transport service that is right for you. No amount of money can replace the great value of your treasured furniture, so you should do everything possible to keep it safe and intact during the move. Auctioneers, collectors and museums in Madrid trust PACK-ART to move their delicate and valuable antiques safely, over both short and long distances. Our proven experience begins with a full assessment of your item, covering risk, storage, environmental factors such as weather, temperature and humidity, collection conditions, the means of transport and the requirements at the final destination — all of it bearing in mind the need to provide you with the right container and cushioning system to prevent damage in transit. Contact us for more information about our services!