WhatsApp usThis ceramic vase restoration was one of our more unusual and complex repairs: a vessel broken into thirty separate fragments, with several tiny chips unsalvageable and a 1 cm-wide section of the rim missing. The predominantly white, flat, semi-gloss finish meant that even the smallest imperfections would be difficult to disguise.
Always keen for a challenge, our Ceramics Conservator, Amy, approached this decorative object restoration head-on, ensuring the repaired vase could be both stable and visually harmonious once again.
Step-by-Step Ceramic Vase Restoration
- Assessment: The ceramic vase restoration began with a detailed assessment, determining which fragments were present, identifying missing rim sections, and noting the areas that would require careful retouching.
- Cleaning: Each ceramic fragment was gently cleaned to remove dust, dirt, and traces of old adhesive. Even the smallest contamination can weaken a bond or cause visible imperfections later, so this stage of the ceramic vase repair process was essential.
- Bonding: The broken shards were meticulously aligned and secured in their original positions, much like piecing together a three-dimensional jigsaw. Using conservation-grade adhesive, each join was allowed to cure fully before progressing to the next stage of the restoration.
- Loss Filling: The missing rim section and tiny chips were rebuilt using a specialist conservation filler. Each fill was hand-sculpted to match the vase’s original contours, ensuring accuracy in the ceramic restoration process.
- Fill Refinement: Once hardened, the fills were carefully refined, sanded, and smoothed until they blended seamlessly with the original ceramic surface.
- Retouching & Regilding: Where original detailing had been damaged, the vase’s edges were regilded with genuine gold leaf. The floral motifs and decorative elements were also subtly retouched, blending flawlessly with the surrounding glaze and restoring their original definition.
- Final Gloss: To complete the ceramic vase restoration, a semi-gloss finish matching the original lustre was applied. This unified surface disguised repairs and recreated the smooth, decorative appearance of the original piece.
The Reveal
Seeing the vase reassembled, regilded and glowing once more was rewarding for both Amy and the entire Fine Art Restoration Company team. The client was delighted with the result.
The transformation was so extraordinary that it was difficult for most to identify where any repairs had been made.
Why This Project Was Special
We’ve restored many ceramic pieces over the years, but it’s rare for one with such simplistic detailing to arrive so completely shattered, proving to be an exciting challenge to not only re-construct but to blend evidence of repairs.
This project required patience, expertise and a balance between modern materials and traditional craftsmanship.
