Past Imperfect, The Art of Inventive Repair

Lustreware goblet, c.1860

March 26th, 2010

Molded copper lustre goblet with classical relief design of figures in a chariot, measures 5″ high and dates from the mid-1800’s. Due to the proliferation of lustreware in England, coupled with the fragile nature of the clay, it is not uncommon to see inventive repairs on pieces such as this.

A detail of the child-like enamel decoration and the heavy “witch’s hat” shaped black-painted iron replacement base.

A goblet with floral decoration and similar shape maintains its original base

Photo courtesy of Appleby Antiques

Tags: English, lustre, metal base, pottery
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Continental pewter pot, c.1850

March 26th, 2010

I have not come across many examples of pewter with inventive repairs so I was glad to have found this 11″ tall urn shaped coffee pot.

A metal replacement handle with thumb rest and crimped edges has the same silhouette as the original handle, which would have been carved out of wood.

A Continental maker’s marks on the bottom confirms the piece is neither American nor English.

This Federal period coffee pot from Philadelphia maintains its original handle.

Photo courtesy of Antiques and the Arts

Tags: Continental, metal handle, pewter
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Redware jug with lid, c.1870

March 26th, 2010

This 6″ tall cracked jug with a replaced mismatched lid and tin base, possibly from Pennsylvania, is covered in a web of hand woven wire.

Redware pottery is earthenware made from red clay containing ferrous oxide, and the dark spots on the surface are a result of manganese in the glaze.

the cracked base was completely covered in wire and tin, now rusted. Please take a look at Tuscan pottery jug, another example of an earthenware jug with a similar repair.

This antique redware jug with similar form is without cracks and wire reinforcement.

Photo courtesy of Malleries

Tags: American, metal base, pottery, wire
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Meissen style trinket box, c.1890

March 25th, 2010

I found this oddity in a gift shop in Provencetown, MA and thought it was so ugly I almost didn’t buy it. But the “beauty” of this repair is that the entire lower portion of the covered box that was lost, has been lovingly recreated out of wood.

The back view of the wine barrel-shaped box, which measures 7-3/4″ high and 6-1/2″ long, shows great skill and detail.

Matching the faux woodgrain on the porcelain top, a craftsman painted the replaced wooden bottom to look like porcelain, which had already been painted to look like wood!

Wonderful details include this minutely carved spigot.

The porcelain figure on top of my trinket box…

is very similar to this c. 1800 Meissen porcelain figure of a boy holding grapes

Photo courtesy of M. S. Rau Antiques

Tags: German, porcelain, wood base
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“Sailor’s Farewell & Return” jug, c.1800

March 25th, 2010

Prattware molded pottery jug from England with relief decoration and rare “PRATT” incised mark on bottom. Measures 5″ high. One side depicts a sailor bidding farewell to his lady.

And the other side of the jug shows them happily reunited upon his return home.

The plain metal handle replaces the original one, made of earthenware.

It is extremely rare to find a piece with an incised “PRATT” mark on bottom.

A similar jug without an inventive repair shows what the original handle looked like.

Photo courtesy of John Howard

Tags: English, metal handle, pottery, prattware
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Chinese “mille-fleur” plate, c.1865

March 25th, 2010

I purchased this 7-3/4″ dessert plate about 20 years ago at a now, sadly departed antique china shop on Greenwich Avenue in NYC. There is nothing extraordinary about this piece, except that it reminded me of my parents collection of Chinese export porcelain, filling a wood hutch and corner cabinet in our dining room.

Beautifully detailed mille-fleur (“thousand flower”) design, rendered in the famille rose pallette, incorporates blossoming peonies, chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, morning glories, hibiscus, roses, daisies and lilies.

The lush border is filled with a variety of birds and butterflies.

This plate was cherished, even after it became broken and was repaired with five metal staples on the back.

These cracks are tightly held in place with staples attached well over 100 years ago.

Tags: Chinese, porcelain, staples/rivets
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“Scottish Thistle” crystal cordial, c.1900

March 25th, 2010

Tiny crystal cordial stemware made in Scotland by Edinburgh Crystal, stands a mere 3-1/2″ tall. The popular hand cut and etched “Scottish Thistle” design was first manufactured in 1896.

When the stem snapped, an iron sleeve was attached to join the two broken halves. A layer of gold paint was applied to the repair to help mask the exposed metal.

This example of an intact cordial shows its delicate stem.

Photo courtesy of eBay

Tags: glass, metal bands
Posted in glass/goblet | No Comments »

Mochaware “Seaweed” pattern mug, c.1850

March 25th, 2010

This cylinder-shaped soft paste English tavern mug from the mid-1800’s has blue & teal bands with a lovely seaweed pattern.

The front of the mug has an embossed cartouche bearing the word “PINT”, covered by its metal strap.

Judging from the multiple cracks, chips and handle loss, this poor mug must have been caught up in the middle of a bar room brawl. The original applied handle has been replaced with a sturdy tin handle and straps, sometime in the late 1800’s.

An almost exact piece showing the applied handle as it was originally made, and with no repairs.

Photo courtesy of Penny Candy Antiques

Tags: English, metal handle, pottery
Posted in mug/tankard | No Comments »

Greek style teapot, c.1850

March 24th, 2010

Porcelain teapot made in the UK in the mid nineteenth century with matte finish neoclassical decoration, stands 7.25 inches long by 4.5 inches tall. I originally thought this teapot was made by Samuel Alcock but I have been told it was made by Dudson.