Should I Use my Antiques and Collectibles?

First, do you know the original purpose for the vessel or furniture? I ask this because I think of a lady who showed me her "old soup tureen," she just loves! She knew I collected English Ironstone. She couldn't wait to show me her garage sale jackpot!
I had to delicately tell her the ribbed bowl with lid was a chamber pot! Again, do you know? What is a chamber pot? It was used for going to the bathroom. Generally slid under the bed if wealthier and emptied by a chamber maid. A chamber maid took care of your bedroom area. I thought this lady was going to faint after my reveal!

I have a family member who inherited a bureau desk from the 1700's. It's luster was carefully restored by a professional who understood true antique restoration. It is still being used for its original purpose and that is office papers and correspondents. This desk is easily worth over 20,000. Adults live in the house. Perhaps if there were children it would go in a spare bedroom until they got older.
Since I grew up in the business most things were always around me like an exotic menagerie. However very expensive glassware was kept in glass cases. My Grandfather really didn't care if I touched the other things. At one time he had a collection of iron toys and banks. They were so unique, you wanted to touch them. One of my favorites was a dentist you cocked back and it pulled out the patient's tooth in a chair! These banks range in price from $100-$1,000. There are many reproductions. In the 90's a perfume company gave away thousands of an Uncle Sam they reproduced.
I think antiques are meant to enjoy. If you have upholstered furniture you love with original fabric then maybe it's meant for a sitting room that is rarely used. Silk can be very delicate. I would seek a professional restoration company for advice. Sometimes covering fabric is tricky too because it needs to breath.
I would not fret over using collectibles like Pyrex, Smith, Westmoreland, Fiesta and Hull. My glass freezer containers are some of my favorite storage containers I take to parties. These are mass produced and hold value because people do like to use them. Still the best! I have a ceramic Hull mixing bowl I use weekly. If it's mass produced I would use it for sure.
What about Grandma's China? Is it hiding in a curio cabinet? I take my own China out for special occasions. If you don't use it, who will? If you're not fancy just treat yourself to a romantic candlelight dinner once in awhile.
Furthermore, unless it is truly an antique (around 1850 or before) or the materials extremely valuable, an important part of a genre's history then have fun and use it! Have you watched the, Then and Now episodes lately from Antiques Roadshow? Collecting is fast becoming a thing of the past for techy generations. So many prices have dipped to half from only 10-15 years ago.