Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Fine dining often calls for a luxurious table setting. One of the most historic features of this custom is the charger plate; a decorative base for the practical plates and bowls to sit upon. As well as forming a charming display, chargers have also been produced as ceramic art in their own right for many… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
In the mid 17th century, tea drinking was popularised in England by Catherine of Braganza and the court of Charles II. The high expense and exclusivity of tea leaves made them a product worth keeping in grand style. Whilst original tea caddies were practical metal and wooden vessels, they were formed in elegant porcelain by the… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Whether it is made of fine porcelain or rough terracotta, a vase is often a centrepiece when it comes to ceramic art. These decorative and functional features of our home can hold extreme sentimental or monetary value, causing distress when damage occurs. Luckily, the restoration of ceramic vases by our conservator is carried out at… Read more »
Case Studies, Ceramics, Gilding, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
Some of the most unusual items to enter our conservation studio are in the form of Fabergé eggs. These highly valuable antiques often present our conservators with a complex challenge due to their various materials and finely crafted designs. This article will look into a favourite collectible of the Russian Tsars, one that encouraged such an… Read more »
Case Studies, Ceramics, Collection Care, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
Museum collections often require the attention of a conservator, whether this is to provide routine maintenance or prepare items for longterm display. The Paisley Museum and Art Gallery reached out to our team for assistance with their historic collection of Syrian glass. Above: Amy working on one of Paisley Museum’s glass vessels – image copyright… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Welcome back to our conservation curiosities series where we look into some of the more unusual and interesting items that come into our studio. Today we are going to explore the history and care of the jardinière, a popular and practical antique that is much admired by collectors and gardeners around the world Above: a… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
As one of the earliest mediums in western art history, marble has been a dominant influence on artists for centuries. From the classical sculptures of ancient Greece to the marble halls of Art Deco buildings, this versatile material is known for its semi-opaque surface and long-lasting vibrancy. Above: marble sculptures from ancient Greece, ancient Rome,… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Specialist Items, Textiles, Useful articles
Every generation has been influenced by the unique toys and games of their childhood, but one piece has remained timeless for all. Dolls have been adored by their owners since ancient Rome, although their materials have changed over time – their enrichment has remained the same. As we grow older, these childhood companions may remain… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Tied with Chelsea as the first porcelain factory in England, Bow was famous for its industrious output and development of fine bone china. Inspired by the exported goods from Asia, which had been competition for British craftsmen since the 17th century, Bow set about creating its own designs as well as directly copying those from… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
The story of Wedgwood is not only one of great creative influence, but industrial ingenuity. In an era when the potteries of Great Britain had a rather unsophisticated production line, Josiah Wedgwood stepped forth to revolutionise and popularise an efficient yet highly artistic output of marketable earthenware and stoneware. Above: various items by Wedgwood including… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Wedgwood has been one of the most influential and popular ceramic brands since the mid 18th century. Today some of the most sought after designs can sell for upwards of £100,000 at auction and knowing how to determine their age and authenticity can help in securing insurance and sales. This guide will outline some of… Read more »
Sculpting the human form in a diminutive size is one of the earliest themes in art history, dating as far back as the neolithic period and the famous Venus of Willendorf. Since then, the style has evolved along with the materials made available to artists – from the terracotta grave companions in Tang dynasty China,… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
Enamelling is an appealing feature of decorative ceramics, trinkets and snuff boxes, whether it is found glazed upon a white clock face or expertly applied in bright colours. Enamel is a versatile material, often used to create texture as well as forming unique patterns and finishes. Above: different forms of enamel decoration With time, this… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Restoration stories, Useful articles
From walls filled with oil paintings to cabinets full of porcelain, many of our clients have extensive and diverse collections. For an enthusiastic connoisseur of art and antiques, the value of each item is often highly personal rather than simply monetary. Above: a selection of Kähler vases from our client This was the case with… Read more »
Due to its easily sculpted and versatile nature, alabaster has been used as a decorative material for thousands of years. Utilised by the ancient Egyptians and designers of the Art Deco period, you may find it in the form of a Pharaoh’s sarcophagus or an early 20th century lamp. Above: a selection of alabaster items… Read more »
Some of the most valuable antiques in the world are made of Chinese porcelain. This esteem and artistic tradition is centuries old, with the first imports coming to Europe in the 17th century as highly sought after items for royalty and aristocracy. Today, we still recognise this late Ming period as being an important era… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
Welcome to our conservation curiosity series, this week we are looking into the world of miniature Japanese sculptures known as netsuke. These unassuming figurines have been known to fetch six figures at auction, but are not often recognised by the untrained eye. Above: a selection of antique netsuke carved in ivory, wood and lacquer Typically… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Specialist Items, Useful articles
The collection of artwork housed by a church, abbey or cathedral can be diverse in both age and medium. Some of the most contrasting pieces are statues, from mediaeval wooden carvings to modern fibreglass figures. Above: from left to right, a stone apostle from 1440-50, ‘The Miracle of the Palm Tree’ from 1490-1510, Virgin and… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Restoration stories, Useful articles
Priceless memories are often found embedded in the brushstrokes of a painting, the gaze of a porcelain figurine or the remnants of ink upon a well-used writing desk. In our restoration studio, trained conservators protect many items that hold personal importance to clients, from family heirlooms to beloved portraits. This was the case with a… Read more »
Ceramics, Guides and Advice, History Of Art, Latest News, Useful articles
Some of the most popular pieces of antique porcelain and bone china come from well-loved tea sets. Whether teacups and teapots are family heirlooms, decorative objects or still serve a practical purpose, it is worth looking into their history to establish possible value and any need for professional preservation. From historic Yixing teapots to the… Read more »
