Caring For Figurines

The Art of Caring For Figurines - Your Prized Ornaments

Collecting ceramic figurines is a rewarding pastime.

Wherever there is a successful range of collectible figurines there is an interesting human story behind the success, whichever period of history you look at - from antique to modern. They could be - or become in the future - quite valuable. So you should know the best way of caring for figurines.

Once you have started a collection there are some key things to think about in order to get the best out of it. You need to protect, preserve and maintain its value on the secondarymarket. That is what caring for figurines is all about, of course.

There are figurines over two hundred years old whichlook as good as new. Needless to say, their value at auctionor online is primary.

Where to store and display:-

Specialist cabinets are far preferable. They show the figurines off in their best light and also minimize the dust and dirt. Using the right cabinet to display figurines is of utmost importance.

Modern cabinets can nowadays be more effective than older ones.

The idea is to show off the figurines - not the cabinet. Old cabinets have limited lighting, too much dark wood surround, smaller windows and no back mirrors. Glazed bone china figurines look at their most visually striking when the light can get to their bright jewel-like glistening colours and gazes and you can see the detail at the back of the figurine with a mirrored back panel. Bone china figurines are precious objects and should be treated with respect accordingly. The less wood and the more glass and the more light the better.

If you have a substantial collection, you may only be able to display your collection on a rotation basis. The ones that are being stored should be wrapped and sealed in either the original box (together with certificates and paperwork) or in bubble wrap and a suitable cardboard box. Avoid a damp environment as this can result in mildew and mould.

Cleaning Collectible Figurines:-

This is perhaps the most crucial area of caring for figurines to get right. If you need to clean your figurine collection, here are somesimple rules to follow:

Never wash your figurines in the dishwasher.

Dust can blown away or brushed with a large format paint brush.

Cloths will not reach the reach the detailed areas.

Or try setting a hair dryer on low to blow away the dirt.

Washing is a last resort, but if you feel you have to make sure you clean your figurines over something soft just in case you drop them

Use tepid water mixed with a just a tiny dash of detergent.

Cover the air hole to avoid flooding with water.

Allow the figurine to dry in the air as delicate detail can beso easily caught and dislodged even when trying to gently pat.

Get the Highest Prices:-

In order to get the highest price on the secondary market for your figurine always save original packaging, tags, certificates etc and mention these in the sales blurb.

Storing the figurines in their original packaging is a goodoption, as mentioned above.

Collectible figurines of high quality always increase in value over time.

It is worth following the above tips in order to either pass them down to the next generation or sell them when the time is right.