This black basalt teapot with a neo-classical design of curtain swags was most likely made in Staffordshire, England in the late 1700s.
Teapot measures 9-1/2″ long and 5″ high.
The figural knob is in the form of a perched spaniel.
A well made silver spout replaces the original black basalt spout.
Another teapot, similar to mine, shows what the original simple shaped spout might have looked like on mine.
A pair of Chinese export porcelain dollhouse miniatures with blue underglaze decoration from the Kangxi period (1662-1722) with Dutch hallmarked silver mounts from the mid-1800’s.
Once the neck broke off this vase, it became a ewer, standing 2″ high with its replacement handle and spout.
A tiny Dutch hallmark in the shape of a sword can be seen on the bottom of the replaced silver neck. Between the years 1814 and 1905, sword marks were used on pieces too small to accommodate full hallmarks.
The remains of the broken porcelain vase’s neck are obscured by the silver replacement top but can still be seen looking down through the opening.
The other broken vase became a bottle, standing a mere 1″ high.
The broken top was masked by the addition of a beautifully engraved silver cap, with scalloped edge and stippled decoration.
Miniatures such as these were displayed in doll houses owned by wealthy individuals and were not intended to be played with by children.
This is what the miniatures looked like before they became damaged and their appearances altered.
Photo courtesy of China de Commande
A geometric pattern flint glass goblet in the “Excelsior” pattern, measures 5-3/4″ high and was made by McKee Bros. of Pittsburgh, PA.
The original glass base was replaced with this most unusual 4-prong painted wood base, one of the more whimsical replacement bases I have ever seen.
The broken stem of the goblet can be seen on the underside.
Below is an intact “Excelsior” goblet with an offset-flute stem base. This is what my goblet would have looked like before its replaced inventive repair base was added .
Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin
English pottery jug made for export to the American market in 1830, with copper lustre glaze and bat printed black transfer decoration on a canary yellow ground. Attributed to Enoch Wood, an earthenware manufacturer at the Fountain Place Works, Burslem, UK.
The transfer decoration depicts Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), the French aristocrat and military officer who served under George Washington in the American Revolutionary War.
The front of the jug has a cartouche containing a generic fruit still life.
This impressive jug measures 7-1/2″ high.
The other side shows General Cornwallis resigning his sword to Washington at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781.
A tinsmith created this substantial metal handle and bands which replaces the broken pottery handle. Fragments of the original handle remain on the jug, revealing the reddish brown color of the clay.
This similar jug in pristine condition shows what the original, more elaborate handle looked like before it broke off.
Photo courtesy of Live Auctioneers
Also known as Bennington pottery, this yellow ware pottery pitcher has a lustrous manganese brown glaze. American Rockingham, made in Bennington, Vermont in the 19th century, is named for the Marquis of Rockingham, whose works produced a ware of similar color in England.
Jug measures 7-1/2″ high and has a replaced brass handle and straps, most likely made by an itinerant brazier. The unusual choice of brass compliments the warm glaze tones.
Similar jug showing what the handle on my jug might have looked like.
Photo courtesy of Ruby Lane
Baluster form pottery pepper pot from England with cobalt decoration, measures 4-1/4″ high.
A base carved from wood and painted blue to match the caster’s decoration replaces the original broken base.
Putty was added to the crudely carved wood base to adhere it to the bottom of the pot.
This Leeds pot with similar form and decoration has its base intact.
Photo courtesy of John D. Wahl Antiques
Beautifully hand painted birds grace this pair of funnel shaped cabinet cups with loop handles, made in England by Royal Worcester in the third quarter of the 1800s. Each cup measures 2.75 inches high and 3.5 inches wide and each has its own inventive repairs. The finely painted decoration is attributed to John Hopewell.
The cup on the left has a replaced metal handle, painted with white and gold enamel to match the original handle.
When the cup broke in half, it was riveted together with 6 tiny brass staples (the top one on the outside rim is now missing), also masked with white enamel.
Small birds on branches are seen on the other side of the delicate cup.
A close up of the fine hand painted bird with wonderful colors and detail.
The cup on the right has 5 brass staple repairs but maintains the original handle.
This is what the original handle on the other cup looked like before it was replaced.
Another beautifully rendered bird in multicolor enamels.
Marked in red on the underside ‘8292’ and ‘8292 R’
Every fashionable American household in mid to late 19th century had an Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) celery vase in use on their dining table. It was the perfect vessel to keep celery and carrot sticks upright and immersed in cold water.
This wonderful example has the highly detailed “Deer and Dog” pattern etched on to the glass surface.
Vase measures 9-1/2″ high.
The other side of the vase reveals the image of running deer.
Thoughtfully made silvered metal replacement base follows the scale and lines of the original.
This example with etched fern pattern maintains its original glass base.
Photo courtesy of Crescent City Auction Gallery
I am asked “What is your favorite antique with inventive repair?” often by friends and colleagues. So after years of vacillating, I am finally committing to giving an answer.
This little teapot…
I found this small globular teapot 5 years ago, and knew very little about it at the time. The dealer I purchased it from had no information regarding its origin or history, so it remains a bit of a mystery to me.
It is made of porcelain, measures 3-1/2″ high, 6-1/2″ wide and appears to be mass produced. The simple Art Deco inspired decoration of large and small navy blue dots help date the piece to the mid 1920’s -30’s. It reminds me of Czech pottery of the same period, so I am assuming it is from the same region.
No part of this poor teapot has escaped damage, making it by far the most altered piece in my collection.
There are 18 metal support staples, a replaced hand-hammered tin base, a large tin patch on one side, a mended chip on the lid grafted from another lid entirely, and a wire tether holding the lid in place.
The numerous metal staples (aka rivets) appear to be machine made and are reinforced with cement.
The original owner must have really cherished their teapot and made a great effort in trying to make it whole again.
If anyone has further information regarding the origins of this piece, please let me know.
And if you ask me “What is your favorite antique with inventive repair?” a year from now, I reserve the right to respond differently!
This Yixing (pronounced ee-shing) pottery teapot with paneled body and bracket base is made of purple clay and was meant for use with black and oolong teas.
Teapot measures 5-1/2″ high, 8-1/2″ wide.
Lid features a wonderfully detailed dog finial with movable pierced marble ball.
Damaged spout was replaced by this beautifully crafted silver replacement.
This Copeland Spode teapot with a similar shape was made in England, c.1879.
Photo courtesy of Ruby Lane
