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Repair of broken fine china?

post #1 of 5
2/4/08 at 6:32pm
Thread Starter 
My fiancee's grandparents have had a set of fine china in their family for six generations (maybe 125 years). It was brought over from Greece, moved with them when they lived for a couple of decades in Guam, and now sits in a cabinet here in the US. In all this time not one piece has ever been chipped or broken. The other night a squirrel got into their house and among other objects knocked a teacup off it's shelf and it is now in 6 pieces. Needless to say, they are pretty upset. Has anyone ever had a piece of china repaired, and what did it cost you? I'm wondering if it is worth the cost or if I should just start looking for a replacement piece. Thoughts?
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post #2 of 5
2/4/08 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 
Oh, did I mention I hate squirrels?
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post #3 of 5
2/4/08 at 10:49pm
I've thought about this and think your first bet would be to seek out and price a replacement. Any repair would involve either glazing and/or probably a bit of paint where the pattern was broken. You could probably get it close, really close, but like refinishing a piano, it probably won't be cheap.
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post #4 of 5
2/5/08 at 1:26am
I've worked in ceramics before and had a fair share of my things break and shatter. The whole equation is cost of repair= usability x invisibility of seams. If you want to use the china only for display, then there are a number of inexpensive things you can do. Epoxy will hold ceramic welds nicely, and even elmer's glue can hold it if you're not putting water in it. If you want the piece to stand up to close scrutiny by people who will be drinking tea out of it, I'm not sure what to tell you. Google will be your friend as far as potential repair services go.
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post #5 of 5
2/5/08 at 1:39pm
Maybe you can use this set at your wedding? (I thnk Greeks smash plates, no? )

JK. Short of some Crazy Glue I'm not sure much can be done. It's ironic that the set survived several international moves, only to have a teacup broken by a squirrel. But is just a cup - tell them to be thankful more wasn't damaged! If this china (like many sets), only sits in the china cabinet on display, and the break(s) are nice and clean, they can epoxy it back together and set it itoward the back...
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