Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Nanking Sauceboat c.1750 with Repairs

 
 

I have had the most fun recently viewing a wonderful blog devoted to repaired ceramics called Past Imperfect, The Art of Inventive Repair. Dealer/collector Andrew Baseman is especially fond of pieces with more than one form of early repair. This Chinese porcelain sauceboat has a metal replacement handle as its first repair. When it was dropped a second time, an 18th century china mender applied 9 metal staples. I have always been fascinated by these make-do repairs, the ultimate in early recycling.

6 comments:

OhSoVintage said...

Me too. I have a couple of pieces of china with these staples and I love the fact that they have been mended in this way. I believe travellers did these repairs which means that people who broke china actually saved it to be repaired when these travellers next visited.

Tara Dillard said...

Love stapled ironstone.

ca. 1810 stapled ironstone covers a wall in my powder room.

Never tire of them.

XO T

jean said...

This is the first time I have ever seen or heard of staples repair on china. Very intriguing!

Anonymous said...

I love seeing these early repairs. They speak of a different mindset, don't they, one that allows a precious piece to be appreciated and used. And, lucky for us who also don't mind imperfection, broken pieces weren't simply discarded and are available today for our learning and pleasure. Oh, how we have changed.
Linda

J.W. said...

Also interesting is the repair of very old outdoor terracotta pots.

Stacey Snacks said...

Why have I always been attracted to these little broken pieces? I love the old make-do repairs. Makes them unique and special. I always want to give them a home!