The restoration of a Chinese porcelain vase

In this series of five short films, David Wheeler, Senior Furniture and Porcelain Conservator with Royal Collection Trust, takes us through the treatment of a pair of vases broken and restored over 100 years ago.

Undertaking this restoration work in 2013 provided an opportunity to compare the restoration and conservation treatments of today with those of the late ninetheenth century when the vase was broken.

There is clear evidence of when and how the vase was broken thanks to an inscription written on a piece of canvas and stuck to its base.  The inscription reads:

January 1892 Ann Barkworth Housemaid reported the accident of breaking this blue and white bottle which was found to be in 34 pieces and has been carefully repaired.

 

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Dismantling the vase

Part 3: Assembling the vase

Part 4: Applying filler

Part 5: Cutting back and retouching