SZELAG  ART  CONSERVATION, INC.

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Porcelain restoration

Ceramic conservation has a long history and a great number of materials and techniques have been employed over the years. Restoration of ceramics poses many problems, from removing a previous poor or discolored repairs to challenge of correctly dismantling, resticking and aligning shards, and the filling and colormatching of missing areas. Many old restorations are executed with very poor quality - frequently too much adhesive has been applied causing misalignment, unsuitable materials have been used in gap fills and, most commonly, overpainting has occured in attempt to disguise a poor repair. All materials used in Szelag Art Conservation studio are reversible, colorfast and the restorations are almost not detectable. Adhesives, pigments and synthetic glazes are the best on the market and specially prepared for conservation purposes.

Ceramic conservation procedures

1. Examination and identification 2. Cleaning  and old restorations removal     The first action of a conservatot after initial examination of a ceramic object is to remove  previous restoration if they are not important in the context of the study of the history of conservation techniques. The safety of the object during the removal process should always be considered.

Bonding

3.

There are many different adhesives avaialble that are apropriate for use on ceramics. However, an adhesive that is suitable for hard-paste porcelain may not be entirely suitable for use on tin glazed earthenware or unglazed pottery. Reversibility is the most important factor for selecting the best adhesive.

4.

Replacement of lost parts

5.

Retouching

and glazing

The aim of retouching is to disguise fillings that have been made in a damage object and allow them to blend in. Despite the recent developments of techniques for creating matched fillings, retouching remains a skill that is vitally important to every ceramic restorer. Matching the colors and final glazing make the total process of porcelain restoration full sucess or failur.

6. Gilding