An English pottery pearlware footed cream jug with cobalt blue transfer decoration, measures 5-1/4″ high.
This was purchased in London at the start of my collecting antiques with inventive repairs.
It remains one of the favorite pieces in my collection.
The broken handle was faithfully reproduced in woven rattan and I have yet to see another example like it.
The original handle, as seen on the same shaped jug below.
Photo courtesy of Merlin Antiques
I was thrilled when I stumbled upon this late 1800’s stoneware “bean pot type pitcher” as described to me by a Maine antiques dealer. The only problem is that after I purchased it, I discovered it had never been repaired, thus not a make-do.
The handle and straps are original to the pot and I was fooled! I am sure that the dealer thought it was authentic and did not mean to deceive me. Rather than return the piece, I am keeping it as cautionary reminder to thoroughly examine each piece before purchasing
What I ultimately found stamped on the lower band: “PAT. JUNE 27 1876, M. SCHIFFER, ST LOUIS MO”
A surprising blend of cultures merge when this English cast brass candlestick was attached to a carved Brazil nut pod, after the brass base broke off.
Candle holder with replacement base stands 6.75 inches tall and the repair was most likely done in South America in the early 1900s.
This typical brass candle holder shows what the original base might have looked like.
Photo courtesy of Denhams
Photo courtesy of The Spice Necklace
A Chinese porcelain globular form teapot with Japanese influenced Imari decoration, stands 4″ high. The bullet shape was inspired by European silver of the same period.
When the original porcelain handle broke off, the teapot was taken to a china mender and fitted with a bronze handle replacement. Finely woven rattan embellishes the metal handle as well as provides protection from the heat of a pot full of hot tea.
A silver rim was added to mask chips along the lid and a silver “safety” chain keeps the lid and the teapot together.
This teapot with similar form and decoration still sports its original handle.
Photo courtesy of Moorabool Antiques
An Edwardian era vase made of ruby color flashed glass, originally a larger vase, now stands just 5-1/4″ high.
The original glass base was replaced with a painted paper homemade base weighted with plaster.
This is what the intact vase might have looked like, before it dropped.
Photo courtesy of Southern Antique Centre
I love miniatures and was really excited to find this tiny two-toned floral sprigged pottery jug, made in Derbyshire, England in the mid-1800’s.
This little jug stands a mere 2″ tall and is made of stoneware with a salt glazed finish, which was fired at a high temperature to insure a glass-like, non-porous surface.
The original handle was replaced with an over scaled tin handle & strap, looking a bit out of proportion on this small jug.
This is what the original jug handle might have looked like had it not broken off.
Photo courtesy of eBay
A large jasperware water jug with sprigged decoration, made by potter Richard Dudson in Stoke-on-Trent, England in the mid-nineteenth century. Jug stands 7-3/4″ tall.
Dudson ceramics pieces are often mistaken for the work of rival potter Josiah Wedgwood, which are similar in form, decoration and color.
The broken handle was replaced over one hundred years ago by a massive pewter handle & support straps, masking much of the sprigged cherubs decoration.
This jug with similar form and decoration shows what the original handle on my jug would have looked like.
Photo courtesy of eBay
When this German porcelain woman’s pipe with applied flowers broke, the bowl was mounted on to a simple wood base, transforming it in to a 5-3/4″ tall vase.
This Austrian hand painted ceramic pipe is shown with its original wood stem.
Photo courtesy of Tobacco Collection
I found this large soft paste bowl while vacationing in Kerala, India and carried it on my lap during the long flight home. I was hoping to find other antiques with interesting repairs throughout my travels to central and southern India, but I mostly found just broken ceramic pieces with chips, cracks and no repairs. But I am sure India is filled with more many examples of wonderfully repaired antiques and I look forward to finding some of them when I return.
Bowl measures 10″ in diameter and is 4-1/2″ high.
A large chip on the rim has been covered up with a tin cuff and a long crack has been secured by means of a brass strap and rivets.
I believe this to be an English example of Gaudy Dutch ware, with a boldly painted variation of the “King’s Rose” pattern. Please see a coffee pot I posted earlier with a similar pattern.
When I see multiple repairs on the same piece made from different materials, I am led to believe that the damage and subsequent repairs were done at different times.
English commemorative pottery jug, stands 7-1/2″ tall.
Has embossed figures of the Duke of York and Prince Cobourg.
Broken handle was replaced with a basic tin replacement handle.
An original jug showing handle intact.
Photo courtesy of Aurea Carter Antiques