| Valuable antique pottery - such as Meissen, | | | | To repair an antique figure, bury it in a |
| Sèvres and Chelsea (which date from the | | | | bowl of sand, with the broken surface just |
| 18th century) - is too rare and delicate to | | | | protruding and horizontal. Set it up so that |
| be restored by anyone other than an expert. | | | | the broken piece balances perfectly on its |
| However, many other pieces of antique china, | | | | matching surface without adhesive. Glue it |
| which probably have more charm than value, | | | | and keep checking to make sure that nothing |
| can be restored by anyone prepared to take | | | | slips. When the adhesive has set, remove any |
| the time. | | | | surplus along the join with fine glass-paper |
| | | | and a razor blade. |
| Wash china in warm soapy water, then rinse | | | | |
| and dry. Most domestic stains can be shifted | | | | Chips can be filled with a mixture of epoxy |
| by, rubbing with bicarbonate of soda or | | | | resin and finely powdered chalk, called |
| common salt. Grease and dust collects in | | | | whiting. Missing parts on antique ornamental |
| cracks. Bleach with cotton wool pads soaked | | | | pieces can be replaced by modelling a new |
| in hydrogen peroxide. Coarse antique china | | | | part out of epoxy resin filler. If the |
| is porous and often stains badly, but it can | | | | missing part - of a plate, for example - is |
| be cleaned by soaking for up to a week in | | | | flat, make a backing of a gummed strip. If |
| neat domestic bleach. In some cases, old | | | | the surface is curved, back it with dental |
| joins may have to be taken apart. To soften | | | | impression compound, which can be bought from |
| glue, soak in boiling water and detergent. | | | | a dental materials supplier or from a dental |
| Methylated spirits, amyl acetate and acetone | | | | mechanic. Mix a stiff-dough of epoxy resin |
| are other softeners that can be tried, but | | | | with whiting and build it up against the |
| remember that complete immersion softens all | | | | backing. It sticks to the edges and, when |
| joints. In the last resort, pick away at old | | | | dry, resembles unglazed china. |
| adhesive with a needle. | | | | |
| | | | If the shape of the missing piece is part of |
| Broken surfaces must be clean and fit exactly | | | | a repetitive pattern, make a mould of a |
| or they will not join properly. Wipe with a | | | | similar unbroken part with dental impression |
| piece of silk dipped in methylated spirits. | | | | compound. Use this mould to make a new piece |
| Silk will not leave lint on jagged edges. | | | | with quick drying filler. These pieces have |
| Put the thinnest possible coat of epoxy resin | | | | to be cut and filed to fit when dry and stuck |
| on each surface and press together. Remove | | | | into place. Note that large missing pieces |
| any surplus adhesive before it dries, with a | | | | have to be cast. Model the missing part in |
| watercolour brush dipped in methylated | | | | plasticine. Use callipers to check the |
| spirits. Avoid touching the actual crack: | | | | length and thickness of similar parts. Build |
| any surplus on that must be removed by | | | | up a square of plasticine strips on a sheet |
| breaking the surface with fine glass-paper | | | | of glass. Insert a wooden peg through one |
| then by cutting it away with a razor blade. | | | | side of the square and into the model to hold |
| To make a really good join of smooth | | | | it horizontally above the glass in the middle |
| surfaces, such as those on antique plates or | | | | of the square. Mix plaster of Paris and |
| cups, apply pressure by clamping or putting | | | | water in a bowl, stirring until the mixture |
| weight on where possible, or by binding with | | | | resembles a thick cream and, pour into the |
| a 1 ½ in. (40mm) wide brown paper gummed | | | | mould until it is halfway up the model. |
| strip (but not self-adhesive tape). Gummed | | | | Leave it to set. Cut two wide grooves in the |
| strips shrink as they dry and exert tension. | | | | plaster as locating marks when the two |
| Put the strips that are wet, but not | | | | sections are joined. Coat the surfaces of |
| dripping, at right angles across the join: it | | | | the plaster with silicone grease and, fill |
| is pointless to fix a strip along the line of | | | | the rest of the frame with fresh plaster. |
| the join. When the join has set, soak off | | | | When it has set, remove the plasticine wall, |
| the strips and remove the surplus adhesive | | | | ease the two sections apart and take out the |
| with glass-paper and a razor blade. | | | | model. This leaves a mould in which to cast |
| | | | the new piece with filler. |