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In general, conservation is usually the work antiquities of museums and archaeological digs. Conservators do work on repairs, but they primarily focus on documentation, research, and repair methodology that does not obviously alter the item’s appearance.

Ceramic restoration can employ all of the above, but the emphasis is on making invisible repairs. Luel Restoration Studio offers the highest quality invisible and museum-style ceramic repair, restoration and conservation.

Restoration involves sculpting missing parts and retouching. However, an experienced and ethical ceramic restorer always uses the conservation method to strengthen objects, remove accumulations of old repairs that may injure the object, and works with only those materials that won’t damage the object’s substance, thus preserving and protecting it for future generations.

Luel Restoration Studio — Home 

Luel Restoration Studio — Home  

Putting aside the very real sentimental value of a special family Hummel figurine, we will focus here on the monetary value of a Hummel piece.

Of course, if you’re not sure what you have, you will need to determine if your Hummel figurine is authentic. The best is to take your piece to an expert, but for a quick primer in what to look for, we offer suggestions …

There are definite marks for identification to determine if your figurine, bell or plate is a genuine Hummel. Many years ago, Sister Hummel requested that her stamp of approval appear on every piece. Under the board of her convent, approvals are made to this day with her mark incised on every piece.

There is also a mold number incised on the bottom of each Hummel figurine at the factory.

Although the Goebel trademark has evolved over the years, there is the official Goebel trademark stamp on the bottom of every figurine.

Hummel figurines are highly sought after by collectors. Several pieces are valued in the hundreds or thousands of dollars each. Figurines such as “For Father,” “Little Goat Herder,” and “Going to Grandmas” are examples of the value of Hummel collectibles.

As with all collectibles and ceramic art, condition and rarity are important factors in the value. If you have a genuine piece that may be showing some age or may need a repair for a crack or chip, the ceramic repair will be a definite investment in the current or future value of the piece.

Luel Restoration Studio — Home 

Luel Restoration Studio www.luelstudio.com

Greetings!

So you’re a ceramic collector or want to be one, and interested in the care and conservation of ceramic items. Or maybe you’ve inherited items that have a great sentimental value and want to know how to protect them. Before we talk about ceramic restoration and conservation, first lets define the term “ceramic”.

Conservation Register (www.conservationregister.com) offers this explanation:

Ceramic is a broad term covering all types of fired clay, including terracotta, earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Ceramics can be roughly divided into four categories as identified below:

• Low-fired pottery or earthenware (soft, porous): Neolithic, Greek, Roman and Chinese; tin-glazed Islamic and Hispano-Moresque, Italian maiolica, French faience, Dutch delft and English delftwares; lead-glazed Islamic; slipwares, Staffordshire.
• High-fired pottery or stonewares (non-porous): Chinese Yueh ware and celadons; (salt glazed) Rhenish and English stonewares; (lead glazed) Staffordshire stonewares and cream wares; Wedgwood basalt and jasper wares (unglazed).
• Soft paste ‘imitation’ porcelain: Medici, Capodimonte, Rouen, St. Cloud, Mennency, Vincennes, Bow, Chelsea, Derby, Worcester; bone china; unglazed Parian wares.
• Hard paste ‘true’ porcelain: Chinese and Japanese porcelains, Meissen, Vienna, Sevres, Plymouth, Bristol; biscuit wares (unglazed).

Below is an excellent article from an all-about-ceramics website –
www.antiquerestorers.com

“There is a great deal of misleading information about repairing ceramics at home, and the following should be avoided.

Repairs to Avoid:

• Don’t heat up cracked plates in the oven. This can extend the crack, split the object altogether or open up old repairs.
• There are many kinds of adhesives and their use in repair of valued ceramics requires training and an understanding of chemistry. Hydrogen peroxide and sterilising preparations are sometimes recommended for cleaning ceramics - don’t use them! Their ingredients can react causing damage, including staining. If you do use adhesive at home to repair a ceramic you’ll probably find it seeps out. Commercial glues can easily yellow and can be difficult to remove. Sandpaper and scalpels should not be used.
• Painting in a damaged area should also be avoided. There are over 100 colors of white! Color matching takes great skill and training.
• Soaking old ceramics can have hidden dangers. Old repairs could become loose and porous pieces will absorb water that could cause future damage.
• If a ceramic has been repaired (even by a conservator), don’t use it for food. It could be a health hazard.

If you discover damage on a piece that is special to you (for whatever reason), contact a qualified ceramics restorer to discuss treatment. A bad home repair will cost more to rectify than getting professional advice from the start.
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If you have any questions, contact Luel Restoration Studio by e-mail: luba at luelstudio.com or call us at 646-251-5593. We offer free estimates.

All the best,

Luel Restoration Studio www.luelstudio.com