If it is impossible to avoid direct sunlight, use a protective cover on the furniture, a thick blind on the window, or apply ultraviolet-absorbent filters to windowpanes, which will prevent these damaging rays from entering the room. In addition, antique furniture is sensitive to humidity. Humidifiers are available at hardware stores and will help to maintain and monitor humidity levels. Should your furniture suffer shrinkage or splitting, it is essential that you adjust the environmental conditions before repairs are carried out. Otherwise, further splitting may occur.
Furniture generally requires a minimum of cleaning.
Particular care should be taken with inlays , marquetry and veneers , in case your polishing cloth lifts a piece. If this does happen, keep the broken piece and contact a restorer. Lacquer is also vulnerable to excessive handling. Gilded fittings should not be cleaned since the gilt may easily be removed. A pair of Chinese huanghuali side chairs, kaobeiyi , 17th century.