Porcelain lace figurine of a dancing couple shown in broken fragments above the fully restored figure.
Porcelain dancing couple — shattered figure reassembled, losses rebuilt, lace and gilding integrated for display.

PORCELAIN AND CERAMIC FIGURINE RESTORATION

Restoration of porcelain and ceramic figurines, statuary, and decorative figures for display.
​Chelsea Plating Company in Philadelphia restores porcelain and ceramic figurines for clients throughout the United States. Work includes figurine repair and restoration for porcelain and ceramic figures, animals, people, decorative scenes, and small sculptural objects. Typical projects involve broken limbs, missing fingers and details, chips to bases and drapery, and multi fragment breaks through the body. Breaks are reassembled, losses rebuilt, joins refined, and decoration integrated so the figure reads as whole again while its age and history remain legible. Many clients first find us while searching for porcelain figurine repair or ceramic figurine restoration near them and then choose to ship their pieces to the Philadelphia workshop. Packing guidance is provided in advance and return shipping is arranged when treatment is complete.
​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

AT A GLANCE — PORCELAIN AND CERAMIC FIGURINE RESTORATION

  • Restoration for porcelain and ceramic figurines, small statues, busts, and decorative groups.
  • Work on European, American, and Asian makers, including antique and contemporary figures.
  • Breaks reassembled, losses rebuilt, and delicate details such as fingers and flowers reconstructed.
  • Chips along bases, drapery edges, and protruding elements filled and refined.
  • Decoration, color, and gilding adjusted so restored areas sit quietly within the original design.
  • Old adhesive, overpaint, and tape residues reduced where safe for the ceramic body and surface.
  • Only pieces that can be safely shipped or hand delivered to Philadelphia are accepted; no on site work.
  • Adhesives and fills are not food safe or heat safe; restored figures are for decorative display.
  • Guidance provided on structural limits and realistic expectations for fragile or heavily damaged pieces.
  • Estimates based on clear photos, dimensions, and a brief history of the damage or previous repairs.
Broken ceramic angel wall plaque shown in many pieces beside the fully restored figure holding a lyre.
Ceramic angel — shattered figure reconstructed, missing sections filled, drapery and wings integrated.

PORCELAIN AND CERAMIC FIGURINES, BUSTS, AND SMALL STATUES

​Figurines and small statues arrive in many conditions, from a single broken arm to a figure shattered into multiple fragments. Typical projects include broken limbs, missing fingers, chipped noses and ears, detached heads, and losses in drapery or foliage. Where structure allows, breaks are reassembled so the pose, gesture, and balance of the figure are recovered. Losses are rebuilt in stages, with fills shaped to match the original modeling of cloth folds, hair, or anatomical details.

Porcelain and ceramic figures often carry complex painted decoration. Once structure is stabilized, color and line are adjusted to integrate restored areas. This can include matching flesh tones, clothing colors, patterns on garments, and small gilded highlights. The aim is a unified read at normal viewing distance, with restored sections receding into the whole rather than competing for attention. Under close inspection, some evidence of repair may remain, which is appropriate for conservation focused work.
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Small busts and table sculptures are treated with similar care. Chips and fractures at plinths and bases are corrected so the object stands evenly. Cracks through necks, shoulders, or drapery are rejoined and refined, and missing areas are reconstructed where enough reference remains. Throughout, priority is given to preserving original material and restoring visual continuity without erasing signs of age.
Before and after of ceramic standing figure showing reconstruction of missing torso section and integrated repainting.
Ceramic figure — large loss in torso rebuilt, surface modeled and toned to match surrounding sculpture.

ANIMAL FIGURINES AND DECORATIVE GROUPS

​Animal figurines and decorative groups are frequently damaged at tails, ears, legs, and other projecting elements. These fragile points are often the first to fail in handling or storage. Breaks are aligned and reassembled, then losses are rebuilt so contours and musculature read cleanly.

Where necessary, internal joins are refined to support the structure without introducing visually heavy repairs.
Decorative groups and scene figures often include multiple characters, trees, foliage, instruments, and architectural elements on a single base. Missing leaves, flowers, and small objects can sometimes be reconstructed where enough original reference survives on the same piece or a companion piece. Chips along rocky bases and scrollwork are filled and shaped so that the outline of the group is continuous. Color and pattern are adjusted just enough to integrate new work with the surrounding glaze and enamels.
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Because many of these figures are handled only during cleaning and rearrangement, treatment is planned around stable decorative display rather than frequent handling. We can discuss how and where you intend to display the piece and tailor the restoration to prioritize structural stability and visual calm in that setting.
Porcelain greyhound group with one dog broken away above the fully restored two dog composition.
Animal figurines — broken hound figure reassembled, joins refined so the pair reads as one sculpture.

PROCESS, SHIPPING, AND LIMITATIONS

​Most porcelain and ceramic figurine repair projects begin with clear photos from several angles, including close ups of breaks and chips. From these, an initial assessment and estimate range can often be provided, along with comments on earlier repairs or missing fragments. Once the figure arrives at the Philadelphia workshop, it is examined in person and the treatment plan is confirmed before work proceeds. Only objects that can be safely packed, shipped, or hand delivered are accepted; large architectural or permanently installed pieces are generally out of scope.

Old adhesives, tapes, overpaint, and surface residues from previous attempts are reduced or removed when safe for the underlying glaze and decoration. Breaks are test fitted and alignment corrected before bonding with conservation grade adhesives. Losses are rebuilt in stages, using fills that are shaped and refined to match nearby modeling. Surface work is carried out under controlled light so restored areas integrate smoothly with original paint and gilding without over brightening the figure.
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Adhesives and fills used in figurine restoration are not food safe or heat safe. Restored porcelain and ceramic figures are intended for decorative display only. They should be protected from dishwashers, water immersion, direct heat, and heavy handling. When a figure has a history of repeated damage or extreme fragility, we may recommend a more conservative treatment approach or display method to reduce future risk.
Close before and after views of a porcelain figurine showing reconstructed fingers and blue ribbon around a lamb’s neck.
Porcelain shepherdess — missing fingers and damaged ribbon rebuilt, fine details and colors carefully integrated.
​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY

​The figurine gallery shows typical projects in porcelain and ceramic, including human and animal figures, busts, and small sculptural groups. Some pieces are visually integrated so that complex breaks and losses are difficult to detect at normal viewing distance. Others retain gentle evidence of age or earlier movement at the client’s request. Together, these examples show how breaks can be reassembled, losses rebuilt, and decoration integrated so damaged figures return to stable, quiet display.
Before and after of colorful ceramic horse and rider figurines repaired from many broken fragments.
Sancai style figures — damaged riders and horses reconstructed, joins refined so each group reads as complete.
Large porcelain carriage and horse figurine shown with detached fragments above the fully restored multi figure group.
Porcelain carriage group — extensive breaks to horses and figures repaired, missing sections rebuilt for unified display.
Porcelain figure holding a book and resting on a column with repaired fingers on the extended hand.
Porcelain allegorical figure — missing fingers rebuilt, hand refined, drapery and gilding left undisturbed.
Before and after of a Meissen style bacchic porcelain group with detached female head reattached and torso break repaired.
Porcelain bacchic group — separated head and neck rejoined, complex torso break stabilized and integrated.
Before and after of cobalt blue ceramic camel figurine with detached head restored and surface unified.
Cobalt blue figurine — separated head reconstructed and integrated, glossy glaze tone blended for display.
Royal Doulton style porcelain figure shown with broken arm pieces beside the fully restored figurine.
Porcelain dancer — broken arm and small hand fragments reconstructed, flowing dress and trim left undisturbed.
Midcentury ceramic ram shown with separated foot beside the fully restored figure after conservation repair.
Modern figurine — missing foot rebuilt, contours refined so the sculptural form and glaze read as continuous.
Before and after of a classical ceramic discus thrower with separated arm and discus restored. Option 2
Classical figure — broken arm and discus reattached, joins refined so the pose reads as continuous.
Before and after of a ceramic duck figurine with detached head restored and painted surface unified.
Duck figurine — broken neck and head reattached, small losses filled for calm shelf display.
Before and after of a small ceramic girl figurine with broken head and arm restored and colors matched.
Ceramic girl figurine — detached head and arm rejoined, small losses filled and painted for gentle display.
Before and after of a tall ceramic water carrier statue broken into multiple pieces and fully restored to standing condition.
Large ceramic water carrier — figure shattered into many fragments reassembled, losses rebuilt, surface unified for display.
Before and after of porcelain cherub planter with broken neck restored and surrounding flowers left intact.
Porcelain cherub — severe neck break repaired, head reattached, floral details preserved for display.

FAQ — PORCELAIN AND CERAMIC FIGURINE RESTORATION

WHAT TYPES OF FIGURINES DO YOU RESTORE?
We restore porcelain and ceramic figurines, small statues, busts, animal figures, and decorative groups. Projects range from single broken limbs or chips to multi fragment breaks and missing details, as long as the piece can be safely shipped or hand delivered to the Philadelphia workshop.

CAN YOU REPAIR FIGURINES THAT HAVE BEEN BROKEN INTO MANY PIECES?
In many cases, yes. Multi fragment breaks can often be reassembled in stages, with losses rebuilt once the structure is stable. The feasibility of treatment depends on how much original material survives, the condition of the fragments, and whether the figure can be safely supported during and after restoration.

WILL THE REPAIRS ON MY FIGURINE BE VISIBLE?
The goal is a calm, unified presentation at normal viewing distance. Joins are aligned and refined, and fills are shaped and toned to the surrounding surface and decoration. Under strong light or close inspection, some evidence of restoration may remain, which is appropriate for conservation focused work.

CAN RESTORED FIGURINES BE HANDLED NORMALLY?
Restored figurines are intended for careful decorative display. Light, occasional handling for dusting or rearrangement is usually acceptable, but heavy handling, play use, or repeated moves are not recommended. We can advise on best practices for supporting and cleaning each piece after restoration.
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HOW DO I START A PORCELAIN OR CERAMIC FIGURINE REPAIR PROJECT?
Email clear photos from several angles, including close ups of the damage, along with measurements and any information about prior repairs. We will review the images, outline a likely treatment approach, and provide an estimate and timeline. Packing guidance is offered before you ship, and return shipping from the workshop is arranged once the work is complete.

REQUEST AN ESTIMATE

​To begin a porcelain or ceramic figurine project, request an estimate and share clear photos of the figure from several angles, including the damage, along with dimensions and a short note on how you plan to display it. You will receive a proposed treatment range and guidance on shipping or local drop off.
​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

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