Ceramics Restored is always happy to offer you help and advice when you find yourself having to consider any type of antique or modern ceramic repair or restoration process and can guide you through the options available with both a museum repair or an invisible restoration and take instruction once you are happy to proceed and have chosen the option that best fits your needs. In the case of a museum repair, the objects are sympathetically cleaned and rebuilt thus restoring their original shape. Fillers are applied to missing sections and will differ dependent on the type of ware and are coloured and finished to a close match of the original colourway and decor. Glazes are not normally applied during this level of repair and therefore this option does mean that any bonded break line is not noticeable from a relatively short distance but may be visible on close examination. In general, the option of a mid-range museum repair is idea for items used for display purposes.
An invisible restoration draws on all of the recognised techniques available by following on from the above techniques to produce as near as possible an undetectable repair. All repairs to areas that require material replacement, surface preparation, colour matching and glazing are carried out within the smallest surface area as possible.
Cleaning - Stabilizing - Adhesive Removal - Surface Rust Removal - Rebuilding - Coloured Fillers - Modelling and Moulding - Airbrushing - Hand Painting - Glazing - Gilding
All coloured fillers are mixed by hand and matched to original colours. Sections can be modelled to replace missing or damaged areas. All repairs are closely matched to that of the original manufactured condition of each piece with regard to colour and surface texture. Enquiries are always welcome on any of the above techniques.
Restoration to gilding is carried out as part of the restoration services we offer. However, digital images do not supply enough relevant information for gilding enquiries and a workshop examination is required to be carried out prior to confirming your estimate. Enquiries for the restoration of highly reflective mirror type gilding should be directed to a specialist gilding restorer.
For items that have been originally designed and manufactured for the consumption of food and drink : We at Ceramics Restored consider that repair options for items that come under this category are limited as we consider such items will lose their functional value following any repair process and especially items with damage to structural parts including lifting handles and all vessels that have been designed to or have previously held fluids ranging from ambient up to boiling temperature. Continued handling and use along with fluctuating levels of temperature and moisture will degrade the structural stability, at a pace relative to the amount of use, of any repairs over time.
Following a safety assessment, we have made the decision not to repair mugs, cups or tea and coffee pots, as it leaves open the possibility of post repair use, at any time in the future, and this was implemented due to our concerns over the posibility of hot water related consequential damage or injury.
We are happy to supply estimates for mid-range museum repairs, as per the repair description detailed in the above section "Restoration types and the process", for items that come under the category of ceramic serveware or dinnerware, apart from those items mentioned above, and would advise that all such items should always be classed as being used for display purposes only following any form of repair.
Materials used at Ceramics Restored are specifically chosen to maximise the future stability, appearance and lifetime of any ceramic repairs. All procedures are fully reversible and are documented for future reference. Following the completion of any restoration process, care must be taken to avoid applying unnecessary stress to the piece in question during handling, especially with regard to any peripheral areas and it is equally important that all restored items be kept in a stable and dry environment and away from extreme heat and direct sunlight following any restoration process.
Free no-obligation estimates are available on request for all ceramic repair services. A reasonable idea of the condition and treatment requirements can be gained from good photographic evidence, either by digital images sent to our e-mail address, as attachments, or from conventional photographs, and an initial estimate of the work required will be supplied to you for your consideration, and then when it is possible to arrange a workshop inspection, a better understanding of the damage involved can be gained and your estimate will be confirmed and an itemised quote supplied. Advice and general estimate information is also available via WhatsApp using the mobile number supplied on this website.
Items involving electrical wiring and components
Ceramics Restored does not carry out electrical repairs to any damaged ceramic items. All electrical fittings should be removed prior to the repair of any ceramic item/s and it is the responsibility of the owner of the item/s in question to arrange to have any electrical fittings rebuilt and all appropriate electrical safety checks carried out by a qualified electrical repair business, of the owners choice, following the return of the item/s to the client on completion of any ceramic repairs.
At times of high demand for repairs, we will be unable to respond to new enquiries at that point. We will, therefore, close off estimates for a period of time, especially for the more larger projects. During this period, we will relay this information, by email, to all repair enquiries that arrive. We appologies for any inconvienience that this may cause, but would advise anyone who is in search of restoration services to always research into, source and then contact more than one restoration service at the beggining of your search for a repair solution to allow you an element of comparison and flexibility.
We advise to all clients that at all times during the restoration process, any item that is presented for repair will remain at the entire risk of the client until it is returned to them. It is accordingly the client's responsibility to insure the object/s in such sums and for such risks as the client shall think fit and no such insurance shall be taken out by Ceramics Restored.
There is a waiting list in operation at present. We appreciate that all customers are keen for their restoration to proceed as soon as possible and therefore we monitor this list regularly to ensure that the time period on the waiting list is kept as short as possible. This is obviously dependent on the current work load but also our aim to ensure that all commissions proceed in a fair and correct order. We will supply details of the current waiting period on enquiry.
Restoration and conservation work to any type of pottery, porcelain and china can never be successfully rushed. Some procedures and techniques take longer than others and we advise that clients should consider a time scale to be on average around a 12 week period. However some pieces may exceed this time scale. We are always willing and able to accommodate the more urgent requests as long as it is technically possible and we are aware of such requirements prior to the start of any of the services that we supply. We have always held firm to the view that it is never beneficial to either party to compromise the quality of any work in a bid to complete a job earlier than expected.
No work will be carried out without authorisation
For those clients that require their pieces to be returned by post please note that all return postal charges are quoted separately and the relevant charge is added to the final invoice. Royal Mail 'Special Delivery Next Day' service is our preferred shipping option. This service travels separately from the standard postal service and offers a guaranteed next working day delivery.
If there is a significant amount of damage and you are shipping multiple shards then please ensure that you individually wrap each bit in tissue paper and bubble wrap to avoid any contact between the pieces during transit which may cause further damage. Wrap larger items with bubble wrap (large bubble preferably). Gather up all of the very small fragments and place them within an envelope and place everything in a suitably strong and large enough box that allows at least a 3 inch gap from any point between the wrapped goods being shipped and the box edge. Double box if possible to achieve extra protection. Fill the gap between the wrapped pieces or inner box with sufficient padding to ensure that everything is held securely but without putting unnecessary pressure on delicate peripheral areas or unstable points and prior to closing and sealing the box/s please include your contact details inside and place your return address on the underside of the outer box. Seal all outer box edges and joints with packaging tape for safe transit.
Please contact the Royal Mail, your local Post Office or your chosen courier for further details of weight and dimensions limitations, compensation exclusions and services offered. All claims or enquiries for late delivery, damage or loss when in transit to and from the studio must be dealt with through Royal Mail or your chosen courier customer services department. Please note that ceramics and glass are on the list of exclusions for compensation for most delivery and courier services.
For items that exceed the packed weight and size limits detailed by Royal Mail with regard to their 'Special Delivery Next Day Service'. Any arrangements for shipping including liaison with companies, their costs and associated insurance for the purposes of transporting these larger items to and from Ceramics Restored will be the full responsibility of the client. Ceramics Restored will be happy to liaise with your chosen couriers or delivery companies with regard to delivery and collection access and administer any associated return labelling.
No items should be sent to us for repair or restoration from outside the UK without contacting us first for advice. Due to the delicate nature of ceramics we cannot accept any responsibility for any damage caused in transit via any International shipping service.
It is always advisable when looking for any professional service that clients do some research into the businesses offering such services within the relevant field of interest and this is becoming more important today with such volumes of antique ceramic conservation websites available and vastly increasing internet marketing. Although there is now a better level of regulation these days to deliver more consumer protection online with regard to content displayed and distant selling regulations it is still good practice to check and confirm the validity of any claims made on websites and we are always happy to do this with regard to ourselves and our site.
The roles of the conservator and restorer share a common responsibility when dealing with ceramic objects in their care either antique or modern, earthenware or porcelain, the objective is the same that being to protect whatever it is from further damage or deterioration and the art of the restorer encompasses all the ethics of conservation while carrying the treatment forward to as near as possible an undetectable repair.
At the beginning of any treatment at Ceramics Restored, the type of ceramic ware is identified and then an assessment is carried out to include any risk factors. Research is carried out to ensure the process returns the object to its original form.
Every treatment plan will be as individual as the object itself and in building a plan consideration is given to areas such as rarity, age, historical importance, sentimental value and any previous repairs, which in the case of rivets for example, form an important part of the history of the piece. All these factors are viewed together and help in producing a suitable plan of action. An awareness of inherent weaknesses and knowledge of acceptable characteristics of wear and tear, such as is evident on early earthenware glazes for example, is essential in order to gain a fuller understanding of any required repair process when drawing up an effective treatment plan.
Free estimates by return email.
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