With a history that spans 25-years, Homes & Antiques remains the only newsstand title that focuses on buying and displaying antiques, as well as the fascinating stories behind them. Plowden & Smith’s team of specialist conservators regularly contribute to Homes & Antiques, including providing advice when Homes & Antiques readers write to the magazine.
Homes & Antiques Reader Query
When I moved into my old house, this lovely Chinese vase had been left behind. At some point, the neck has been broken and quite crudely restored, and the base has also been drilled – presumably to turn it into a lamp. I know very little about the piece, but love the colours and patterns. When moving into my new house earlier this year, the old neck restoration broke and I think now is the time to have the piece professionally restored. Could your experts reveal some options?
– Alison Wolveridge, via email
Madeleine Graham, Plowden & Smith’s Head of Ceramic Restoration Advises
If I were restoring this vase, I would start by removing any previous restoration residue and thoroughly clean the break edges using solvents and a steam cleaner. I would then reassemble and bond the broken shards with resin, tinted with pigments to match. Losses would be filled and the area of damage retouched, glazed and polished. Although the hole near the base could be restored using the same method, filling the vase with water would gradually break down the materials. However, a lighting specialist would easily be able to turn your restored vase back into a lamp. Restoration would cost between £300-500.