Tiffany and Co. Le Tallec porcelain ginger jar with shattered neck and body shard shown before and after restoration.
Tiffany and Co. Le Tallec porcelain ginger jar — broken neck and body section reassembled, peacock feather band integrated.

CERAMIC VASE AND DECORATIVE OBJECT REPAIR

Restoration of ceramic and porcelain vases, jars, urns, and decorative objects.
​Chelsea Plating Company in Philadelphia restores ceramic and porcelain vases and decorative objects for clients throughout the United States. Work ranges from porcelain mantle vases and ginger jars to stoneware and earthenware vessels, altar urns, covered bowls, trays, and sculptural studio pieces. Typical projects involve broken necks, chipped rims, missing handles, cracks through bodies, and losses along feet or bases. Breaks are reassembled, losses rebuilt, joins refined, and surfaces unified so the piece reads as a coherent form again. Many clients search for ceramic vase repair, porcelain vase repair, ginger jar repair, urn restoration, or decorative object repair and then choose to ship their pieces to the Philadelphia workshop. Packing guidance is provided before shipping and return shipping is arranged when treatment is complete.
​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

AT A GLANCE — CERAMIC VASE AND DECORATIVE OBJECT REPAIR

  • Restoration for porcelain and ceramic vases, jars, ginger jars, urns, jardinieres, covered bowls, and trays.
  • Suitable for hard paste and soft paste porcelain, bone china, earthenware, stoneware, faience, majolica, and studio ceramics.
  • Breaks reassembled, losses rebuilt, cracks stabilized, and surfaces unified for calm, long term display.
  • Handles, spouts, knobs, finials, and applied ornament reconstructed where structure allows.
  • Old glue, tape residues, and discolored overpaint reduced where safe for the original glaze.
  • Only objects that can be shipped or hand delivered to Philadelphia are accepted; no on site work.
  • Adhesives and fills are not food safe and not heat safe; restored pieces are for decorative or very light, careful use.
  • Restored vases should not be placed in dishwashers, microwaves, or ovens and should not be relied on as watertight containers.
  • Each project begins with clear photos and measurements so treatment scope can be discussed in advance.
Antique porcelain ewer with cherub panel shown in fragments beside the fully restored two handled vase.
Porcelain ewer with cherub — shattered rim and broken handles reassembled, gilded scrollwork and pastel painting unified.

VASES, JARS, GINGER JARS, AND JARDINIERES

​Many projects on this page begin as display vases or jars that have been chipped, cracked, or broken in a fall. Common damage includes missing sections at rims and necks, breaks through shoulders and bodies, and losses around feet or bases. Lidded pieces often arrive with broken finials, damaged flanges, or lids that no longer sit correctly. Ginger jars and temple jars may also show stress cracks where lids were repeatedly lifted by the finial rather than the body.
Treatment focuses first on restoring structure. Breaks are test fitted and realigned until the body stands true and the profile returns to its original line. Losses along rims, necks, and feet are rebuilt in thin layers and then shaped to match the surrounding contours. Decoration is then carried across these new areas so that patterns, borders, and reserves read as continuous. On monochrome or subtly shaded glazes, color and gloss are adjusted so that restored areas sit quietly within the larger surface rather than drawing attention.
Because many vases and jars are used to hold flowers, water use is discussed at the outset. Adhesives and fills used in conservation are not designed for prolonged contact with water. After restoration, these pieces are best treated as decorative objects. If a vase must hold flowers on occasion, a separate watertight liner or inner container is recommended so that water does not stand directly against restored surfaces.
Blue and white porcelain ginger jar in multiple shards beside the fully restored lidded jar with floral pattern.
Blue and white ginger jar — shattered body reassembled, floral scrollwork and stripes carefully reintegrated.

URNS, FIGURAL VESSELS, AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS

​Chelsea Plating Company also restores ceramic urns, altar and mantle pairs, sculptural vessels, and decorative objects that do not belong on tableware or figurine pages. These include commemorative urns, lidded mantle garnitures, jardiniere and stand combinations, altar fruit, sculptural bottles, covered boxes, and trays or chargers that function as display pieces rather than dinnerware. Damage can range from single chips to extensive breakage with scattered fragments.
For urns and large decorative vessels, stability is especially important. Breaks through necks, shoulders, and pedestal bases are reinforced and aligned so that weight is carried safely. Applied ornament such as handles, scrolls, and small masks is reattached or, where missing, reconstructed so that the overall composition reads correctly. Covered objects receive special attention so that lids register properly with their bases and can be lifted without stressing restored areas.
Studio ceramics and sculptural works are approached with the same respect for the maker’s intent as more traditional pieces. Textured surfaces, deliberate glaze variations, and evidence of making are all considered when shaping fills and adjusting color. The aim is not to erase the object’s history but to stabilize it and clarify design and surface so that it can be displayed and handled with appropriate care. If a decorative vessel has been drilled or wired as a lamp, that can be noted when requesting an estimate so that ceramic work can be coordinated with the lighting services offered elsewhere on the site.
Antique porcelain cherub planter with broken neck shown before and after reattachment and restoration of surrounding flowers.
Porcelain cherub planter — detached head and neck break repaired, floral rim and pastel glaze unified.

PROCESS, SHIPPING, AND USE AFTER RESTORATION

​Vase and decorative object projects usually begin with clear photos from several angles, including close ups of the damage and any previous repairs, along with basic height, width, and depth measurements. Notes on maker’s marks, inscriptions, or labels are helpful, as are details about how the piece is used and where it is displayed. From these materials, an initial assessment and estimate range can often be provided before the piece travels.
When the object arrives in Philadelphia, any unstable earlier repairs are reduced where safe and fragments are carefully sorted and test fitted. Breaks are reassembled using conservation grade adhesives, with alignment corrected as far as the material allows. Losses are rebuilt in thin, reversible layers and then refined so that edges, profiles, and junctions sit comfortably with the surrounding forms. Surface work is carried out with restraint, matching tone, hue, and gloss to the adjacent glaze or painted decoration.
After restoration, these pieces should be treated as decorative objects. Adhesives and fills are not food safe and not heat safe. Restored vases, urns, bowls, and trays should not be used for serving food or drink, and they should not go into dishwashers, microwaves, or ovens. If a vessel is displayed with flowers or greenery, an inner liner is recommended so that standing water does not contact restored areas. Guidance on handling, display, and environmental considerations can be provided as part of the estimate process.
Royal Winton Hazel chintz ceramic tray in broken shards beside the fully restored floral serving tray with handles.
Royal Winton Hazel chintz tray — multiple breaks reassembled, dense floral pattern visually unified.
​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY

​The gallery below illustrates a range of ceramic and porcelain vases, jars, urns, plates, trays, and decorative objects treated in the workshop. Some arrived in several large pieces; others came in as dense puzzles of smaller fragments. In each case, structure was stabilized, losses were rebuilt, and decoration was integrated so that the object could return to quiet display.
: Tall black and white textured ceramic vessel with fractured side element shown before and after restoration.
Textured studio vessel — broken spout reconstructed, crackled black and white surface unified.
Small ceramic jar with blue crest and French lettering shown before and after rim reconstruction.
Ceramic mustard jar — chipped rim rebuilt, crest and lettering preserved for cabinet display.
Blue and orange Japanese lusterware sugar bowl shown in scattered pieces beside the fully reconstructed covered bowl.
Japanese lusterware sugar bowl — multiple body and lid fragments reassembled, gold handles and geometric band restored.
Antique Liverpool creamware jug with darkened body shown before and after cleaning and conservation of its printed decoration.
Liverpool creamware jug — surface soiling reduced, transfer prints and inscription clarified.
Cream and green ceramic train shaped teapot shown with detached spout and body loss above the fully restored teapot.
Sadler Mallard train teapot — missing spout and body break rebuilt, green line decoration and rivet detail integrated.
Modern ceramic vessel with a missing side section shown before and after reconstruction to a complete, even rim.
Studio vessel — large body loss rebuilt, tall asymmetrical form and smooth exterior surface restored.
Chinese famille rose dish with peach finial shown in several shards beside the fully restored plate and fruit.
Famille rose peach dish — broken plate and fruit finial reassembled, enamel decoration and butterfly motif integrated.
Iznik style ceramic covered bowl shown with broken lid fragments beside the fully restored bowl and pointed finial.
Iznik style covered bowl — shattered lid and finial reassembled, bold floral decoration and blue ground integrated.
Black and white striped Peter Shire teapot with removed spout shown before and after spout reattachment and restoration.
Peter Shire Memphis teapot — detached spout reattached, bold black and white stripes and gloss finish unified.
Colorful Talavera style terracotta flower pot shown broken in two large sections with shards beside the fully restored pot.
Talavera style flower pot — body shattered into multiple pieces, cylindrical form and painted florals reassembled.

FAQ — CERAMIC VASE AND DECORATIVE OBJECT REPAIR

WHAT TYPES OF VASES AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS DO YOU RESTORE?
We restore porcelain and ceramic vases, jars, ginger jars, urns, jardinieres, covered bowls, trays, sculptural vessels, and related decorative objects that can be safely shipped or hand delivered to the Philadelphia workshop.

CAN YOU REPAIR HAIRLINE CRACKS AND MISSING PIECES?
Many cracks and losses can be treated. Structural cracks are stabilized and then visually integrated, while missing sections at rims, necks, feet, handles, and ornament can often be rebuilt so that the form reads as continuous. Feasibility depends on how much original material remains and the overall weight and use of the piece.

CAN RESTORED VASES STILL HOLD WATER OR FOOD?
Adhesives and fills used in ceramic restoration are not food safe and not designed for prolonged contact with water. Restored vases, urns, bowls, and trays are intended for decorative or very light, careful use. They should not be used to serve food or drink. If a vase is displayed with flowers, a separate watertight liner is recommended.

HOW SHOULD I PACK A VASE OR DECORATIVE OBJECT FOR SHIPPING?
After reviewing photos, we provide packing guidance specific to your piece. In general, objects should be wrapped carefully, with voids filled and the piece supported so it cannot move within the box. Double boxing is often recommended for tall vases and heavy urns. Return shipping from the Philadelphia workshop is arranged when treatment is complete.
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HOW DO I REQUEST AN ESTIMATE FOR A VASE OR DECORATIVE OBJECT?
Email clear photos of the entire object and the damaged areas, along with measurements and any notes about use or previous repairs. From these materials we can outline a likely treatment approach, provide an estimate range, and give guidance on packing and shipping or local drop off.

REQUEST AN ESTIMATE

​To begin a ceramic vase or decorative object project, request an estimate and share clear photos of the object from several angles, including close ups of all damage, along with height, width, and depth measurements. You will receive a proposed treatment range and guidance on safe packing and shipment or local delivery to the Philadelphia workshop.
​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

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