Antique garden ornament requires ongoing preservation and care. We recommend regularly consulting a professional conservator and committing to periodic conservation treatments.
Winter Weather Notes
FREEZING CLIMATES: Winter wind, snow, and ice can be very damaging to antiques garden ornament. We suggest taking the following measures to protect your garden antiques:
During winter in freezing climates, it is very important to raise all of your garden antiques off the bare soil/grass to avoid their freezing to the ground. For example, we suggest putting cast-iron benches up on bricks (one under each leg is sufficient). We also recommend installing permanent cement footings in the ground. Cement footings are particularly needed under heavy statuary that cannot be moved easily. Footings are also more level than bare ground, giving extra stability to your ornaments.
WINDY LOCATIONS: In windy locations, objects should be attached to pedestals or secured to permanent structures with cords. Or, they can be taken down from pedestals and placed flat on a cushioned support. Portable pieces, particularly those made of terra cotta, stoneware, or composition stone should be taken indoors.
SURFACE PROTECTION: Unsealed cracks in a marble, stone, or composition stone object can collect water that may freeze and thaw causing further cracking. We strongly recommend protecting all of your garden antiques with tarps, plastic sheeting or, ideally, breathable polypropylene (see: Weatherbags). Wooden sentry boxes are another, more traditional solution; these custom-built "houses" protect fragile statues from all kinds of winter weather.
CONTAINERS: All urns, birdbaths, and fountains should be emptied of soil and water before the first winter frost and covered and/or tipped over to prevent the build-up of damaging snow and ice. [Planted containers are more at risk if the reservoir is filled with dirt. Water can still enter, collect, freeze, and thaw.] Portable components, such as the tops of birdbaths, can be removed altogether and stored indoors. Cast-iron urns with drainage holes are less susceptible to damage than stone, marble, or composition stone vessels, but measures should still be taken to protect their surfaces from moisture (see: Cast Iron).
MATERIALS: In general, we recommend bringing terra-cotta objects indoors during freezing months. Terra-cotta oil jars require particular care. Even if they have drainage holes, they should still be brought indoors or, at the very least, turned upside down. If moving the jar is impractical, consider having a custom-made lid of wood or metal constructed to fit over the opening to prevent the entry or accumulation of water in the bottom.
Composition (cast) stone is the most porous of garden ornament materials and requires careful attention in winter. Bases of statues that sit in snow all winter have been known to crack and fall apart. If, when you're buying a composition stone piece, you see an exposed piece of a rusty iron armature, be cautious and reconsider the purchase. This is a serious condition problem.
While cast iron tends to be more impervious to winter weather than terra cotta or stone, be aware that freezing temperatures can cause brittleness and breakage. Do not attempt to move any cast-iron garden seats that have frozen to the ground as legs, made brittle in freezing weather, can snap off easily.
Cast Iron
The best way to protect a valued antique cast-iron object is to keep it indoors. However, for the most part, a series of applications of paste wax will arrest the rusting process on surfaces of outdoor pieces (apply in the late fall and mid-spring). We advise consulting a professional conservator for other sealant solutions. Keep an eye on painted cast-iron objects, as repainting (or touching up) is generally required every couple of years. We suggest first wire-brushing any loose surface rust or paint, applying outdoor primer and then exterior paint in your choice of color. [As we are often asked to recommend "historically accurate" paint colors, we generally endorse the use of colors cited in period trade catalogues: brown, white, black, and dark green.] Please note: cast-iron garden ornaments were meant to be repainted, and doing so will not affect the value of your investment. Indeed, multiple layers of paint often endow these objects with "character" commensurate with age. However, if an excessive accumulation of paint has obscured details of the object's design, consult a professional conservator or ironworker to discuss options for paint removal. There are several methods for removing layers of old paint, but be wary as some popular approaches may damage the surface of the piece. For instance, power-washing done skillfully can be effective and less harmful than sandblasting. We recommend sandblasting only in the most extreme situations.
General Cleaning / Warm Weather Notes
To gently clean superficial dirt and unwanted mold or moss off stone and marble ornaments, fill a spray bottle with one part ammonia to two parts water. Spray the solution on the affected areas and allow it to soak in for several minutes. Rinse with water (spray with hose) and repeat several times. For stubborn stains, we recommend using a non-abrasive cleanser (such as Softscrub without bleach) and a soft-bristle brush. Any cleaning beyond the most superficial should be done by a trained conservator.
In warm weather, marble ornaments are susceptible to damage caused by high humidity and acid rain. A condition called sugaring can result in a deterioration of the surface. Watch for a sandy surface on marble and take prompt action by contacting a professional conservator.
Weatherbags
At the request of several clients, Barbara Israel Garden Antiques has developed Weatherbags, protective weather-resistant covers for all forms of garden ornament. Made from durable multi-layered polypropylene, Weatherbags are available in several standard sizes to fit urns, statues, fountains, and more. Weatherbags can also be custom-made to fit any size ornament.
Click here for more information about Barbara Israel’s Weatherbags.
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