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Here is some basic information about our ceramic restoration services. If you have specific questions, please contact us.
INITIAL ESTIMATE:
For a $10 fee, applied to the restoration, we can provide initial ball-park estimates from good, clear photographs or jpegs. Measurements, maker's marks, full-views of the object and close-ups of the damage are essential to enable a fair estimate. These may be emailed or snail-mailed to us. We will offer you a no-obligation initial price for both a museum and an extensive "invisible" restoration (see below).
SENDING US YOUR OBJECT:
If you choose to proceed, you should deliver or ship your treasure, double-boxed and insured for full replacement value, to our studio. Upon receipt of the item, we will clean and thoroughly examine it. If further damage or problems come to light (sometimes cleaning reveals hairlines, damage or previous restoration of which the owner was not aware) or we need to revise an initial estimate for some reason, we will discuss it with you and offer a final firm price prior to beginning work. You will receive a written contract detailing the scope of work and the agreed-upon price. We ask for a minimal 10% deposit upon return of your signed contract. Full payment is due at the completion of work; return shipping with insurance is at cost or you are welcome to visit our studio in Poughkeepsie, NY to collect your restored piece (by appointment, please.) We recommend that you insure your piece for full replacement value whilst it is out of your possession; we do not provide insurance.
TIMEFRAME:
Our turnaround time is generally from 6 to 12 weeks from start of work, but does depend on the complexity of the restoration. Like any good restorer we have many items currently in our studio and a scheduling order in place through the next ten to twelve months, hence new commissions are not usually begun immediately they are received. The restoration process, if done properly, takes a great deal of time--even so-called "simple" jobs---and happily our skills are in demand, so we do request our clients' patience. Restoration is more of an art-form than it is a science, and as such sometimes goes smoothly and sometimes doesn't -- if we are unnecessarily pressured, Murphy's Law will ensure that that job will be one of the latter types!! However, if your job is urgent with a specific deadline, we do our best to accommodate for an additional rush charge.
HOW WE WORK:
We do not work exclusively on one item from beginning to end, but work in stages with many pieces. Having your piece in our studio prior to its estimated start date enables us to begin work on it at any time, and complete the various stages sometimes ahead of schedule.
OUR METHODS:
We practice state-of-the-art, non-invasive methods of repair, restoration and conservation. We are constantly upgrading our products, equipment and skills with continuing education and involvement in professional trade associations. As with any field, technologies are rapidly changing -- we regularly test new products and techniques. Our custom-built, laboratoty-styled studio space enables us to accommodate several work stations and students (see below for teaching info.)
MUSEUM REPAIR:
We offer two types of repairs. The first is a "museum repair". This entails: * cleaning your piece * removing stains if necessary or required * reconstructing with any saved pieces using proprietary non-browning glues appropriate to the type of ceramic body * stabilizing cracks so that they don't travel any further * filling any missing pieces * modelling and/or moulding with a close-as-possible color matched product * sanding. This is the most cost-effective choice, but be aware that the repairs and patched sections will likely be visible (depending how busy the decoration on the item may be) because a museum repair does not include inpainting or pattern matching. This is an excellent choice for a cabinet piece that does not receive close scrutiny, or one that you want to conserve without hiding its 'badges of honor'.
"INVISIBLE" RESTORATION:
This is a much more extensive process. "Invisible" restoration (as much as humanly possible) entails ALL the steps of a museum repair, then these additional steps: * filling of all cracks and joins on all visible surfaces * sanding * color matching of restored areas on all surfaces * inpainting of any design by hand and/or airbrush * glazing of restored areas on all surfaces, layer by layer * recreation of special effects such as crazing, pitting, potting defects, enamelling, etc. * re-gilding if required * finishing. This is where artistry, skill and patience are essential. We create the illusion of perfection as much as we are able, but remind you that your piece was not perfect when we began. We're certain you'll be pleased with the results.
FEES:
We base our services on an hourly rate, including materials and labor. There is a minimum charge for restoration services of $105 per item; cleaning and stain removal service is priced from $30.
PLEASE NOTE:
Restoration is an art, and as such is subject to the vagaries of our muse. We are perfectionists and hope you understand that we will not compromise our standards to meet a deadline; we therefore cannot guarantee completion by a specific date. But be assured we will do our best to offer and meet a realistic timeframe. Thank you for understanding.
LEARN THE ART OF CERAMIC RESTORATION:
Have you always wanted to learn this fascinating and rewarding skill as either a hobby or as a profession? We offer individualized training for novices in our custom-built studio. Please contact us for a brochure detailing the course offering.
A finished, restored piece gives us a huge amount of satisfaction, and gives you an object that has new life, beauty and value. We delight in sharing our passion for bringing good things BACK to life! Please call, email (ceramicsrestorer/aol.com) or write to us for further information, or send us your pictures together with the $10 refundable fee, and we will provide you with a no-obligation estimate.
Thank you! Rosalind Ashford. |
