There is no need to despair when pieces are missing. We can create them or if necessary, contact the factory of origin and request copies of the original art work which was done when the piece was first made. If possible, keep every piece you can find as the price of replacing them does increase the total amount due. We take care of sentimental items which may not appear especially valuable, but hold fond affections for their owners.
Our studios match each method and procedure to the clients' needs and particular requirements of the project. We pride ourselves in the field of color match and texture replication.
Items are for decorative purposes only and will not withstand the rigors of hot water, dishwashers and detergents.
TYPES OF RESTORATIONS
To begin the process of restoration, an item needs to be placed in one of the following categories to give it the proper direction.
HISTORICAL (Items of museum value)
Pre-modern Artifacts
Pottery - 500+ years old
Porcelain - 500+ years old
NON-HISTORICAL (Items of aesthetic value)
Modern porcelain
Modern pottery
Collectibles
Reproductions
While most pieces fall into the second category, the following definitions may help determine what to do with a piece:
Restoration - return to a former state
Conservation - keep from decaying
Refurbish - renovate, make as if new
If an item has been established as having historical value, then it is recommended that a conservation method be applied. Keeping in mind the above definitions, whatever the article is, a restorer would then only perform the procedures necessary to preserve, while not causing further damage to the piece.
Examples of these are the items seen in museums. If there is old pottery or porcelain on display and it has been cracked, most likely the restoration will be quite visible. Dissolvable adhesives and soft clay fillers are used to only maintain the shape or appearance of the article.
Some Oriental restorers use gold to fill in the cracks or chips on a damaged item. They respect an item for its existing condition and prefer not to conceal the damage. An amateur can cause damage that may be permanent and impossible for even the best conservator to reverse. One should establish the historical value of an item before proceeding with restoration of any sort. Choosing the non-historical type of restoration due to either sentimental or monetary reasons may involve a process of performing more damage to the item so it can be restored to its former aesthetic state.
For example, when fine porcelain has been glued, the seams may need to be leveled to make an invisible repair. The process of filling and sanding several times until completely smooth, may take some of the original finish, design, paint strokes, paint and glaze away. Then the skilled artist, with the use of an airbrush, begins to recreate and simulate the design, painting and paint strokes, while achieving the depth of the glaze and finish. Further steps are then applied to attain the finish of the glaze, either flat, satin, gloss or a combination, so it blends in with its surroundings.
Before any restoration is begun, the first step is to categorize. After this initial direction is agreed upon, the next step is to thoroughly clean. The restoration work becomes part of the item's history. Prevailing care can be given when the history of information is known and is also helpful to the next restorer knowing what has been done if further restoration is warranted at a later time.
Full or partial restorations available.
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