Hand-painted porcelain two-handled vase with gilt rococo scrolls—impact breaks reassembled; losses modeled at rim and handles; overpaint and gilding tuned to original tone.

PORCELAIN REPAIR

Restoration and repair of porcelain, fine china, and related wares.

Chelsea Plating Company repairs porcelain and fine china for clients in Philadelphia and throughout the United States. Typical projects include porcelain plates, cups, saucers, serving pieces, figurines, vases, and lamps that have been chipped, cracked, or broken. Many arrive as family pieces or parts of larger services; others are individual works collected for their design or history. In each case we focus on stabilizing structure, rebuilding losses, and reintegrating decoration so the piece reads as a coherent whole. We provide packing guidance before anything is shipped to our Philadelphia workshop, and arrange return shipping once the work is complete.

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Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

AT A GLANCE

• Porcelain repair and fine china repair for tableware and serving pieces
  
• Restoration of figurines, sculptural porcelain, and decorative objects
  
• Stabilization of cracks, breaks, and complex multi-fragment joins
  
• Rebuilding of chips, rim losses, handles, spouts, and small missing elements
  
• Color and glaze matching to visually reintegrate restored areas
  
• Reduction or replacement of unstable or discolored old repairs where appropriate
  
• Conservation-minded adhesives and fills selected for each porcelain body
  
• Packing guidance before shipping and coordinated return from our Philadelphia workshop
  

Porcelain greyhound group — fractures reassembled, paw and tail losses rebuilt.

PORCELAIN REPAIR FOR TABLEWARE AND EVERYDAY PIECES

Porcelain plates, cups, saucers, and serving pieces often carry both daily-use wear and family history. Porcelain repair and fine china repair on these pieces focus first on structure: fractures are stabilized, rim losses are cleaned back to sound material, and missing sections are rebuilt in controlled stages. Common projects include plates broken into several large fragments, serving bowls with missing rim areas, and cups with fractured or lost handles.
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Once the form is re-established, surface decoration is carefully reconnected. Transfer patterns and hand-painted borders are extended across restored areas in thin, controlled layers. Glaze gloss and reflection are tuned so that repaired sections sit quietly alongside the original surface rather than drawing attention. Although many restored plates and cups may look ready to return directly to service, adhesives and in-painting materials are not food- or dishwasher-safe, and repaired porcelain is best treated as decorative or used with care away from high heat and prolonged moisture.

Hand-painted Dresden plate — shattered dessert plate restored to continuous surface.

PORCELAIN FIGURINES AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS

Porcelain figurines, groups, and sculptural objects call for a slightly different approach. Fine modeling, lace, flowers, and projecting limbs are especially vulnerable to damage. For these pieces, breaks are test-fit and aligned before final joining so that posture, gesture, and expression are recovered as accurately as possible. In porcelain figurine restoration, losses are rebuilt with fills that echo the original modeling, from small floral elements and fingers to larger passages of drapery or base detail.
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Decorative objects such as vases, covered boxes, and lamps follow a similar, staged approach. Handles, spouts, finials, and other projecting elements are reconstructed where appropriate, with particular care at the join between new and original material. Color, glaze, and gilding are then reintroduced in measured layers, limited to the areas required to bridge new work into surrounding decoration. The aim is a stable, visually coherent object in which restored areas support the original design rather than compete with it.

Porcelain lace figurine — shattered dancing couple restored to stable display.

PROCESS, SHIPPING, AND ESTIMATES

Most porcelain repair projects begin with clear photographs and basic dimensions sent through our Request an Estimate form. From these, we can usually identify body type, extent of damage, and whether old repairs or overpaint are present. For complex pieces or sets, we may request additional images or close details before confirming a proposed treatment plan. Many clients first find us while searching for porcelain repair or antique restoration near them and then choose to ship pieces to our Philadelphia workshop.
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Once a project is accepted, we provide packing guidance tailored to the piece—how to support vulnerable areas, protect joins, and cushion fragments or lids. Clients then ship using their preferred carrier and any insurance arranged directly with that carrier. After treatment, we coordinate return shipping from the studio. Throughout the process, you receive clear expectations regarding scope, cost, and anticipated timing so you can decide how best to proceed with your porcelain and fine china.

Meissen scattered-flowers teacup — fractured body and handle rejoined for display.

REQUEST AN ESTIMATE

​Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY

The porcelain repair examples below range from plates and bowls reassembled from multiple fragments to figurines with rebuilt hands, flowers, and structural joins. Each project reflects the same priorities: structure stabilized, losses rebuilt, and surface tone blended so the object can return to display. If you see a project similar to your own piece, you can reference it when you request an estimate.

Nippon porcelain hair receiver lid — shattered fragments rejoined, raised floral work clarified.

Porcelain cherub planter — detached head reattached, neck break visually reintegrated.

Meissen scattered-flowers teacup — fractured body and handle rejoined for display.

Meissen Bacchic group — detached head and torso rejoined for continuous figure.

Porcelain allegorical figure — missing fingers restored for display.

Porcelain royal carriage group — separated horse team and fragments reassembled into one span.

Royal Doulton “Sweet Seventeen” — broken arm fragments rejoined, figure returned to display.

Haviland “Tehran” serving bowl — large fractures rejoined, decoration visually continuous.

Yellow porcelain teacup — multiple body fragments rejoined for continuous form.

Porcelain lace figurine — shattered dancing couple restored to stable display.

Chinese famille rose peach dish — multiple fractures reassembled, decoration visually reconnected.

Minton “Cuckoo” plate — two large fragments rejoined, floral pattern visually continuous.

Japanese lusterware sugar bowl — extensive breaks reassembled, geometric pattern clarified.

Tiffany & Co. Le Tallec ginger jar — neck and body fractures rejoined, pattern aligned.

Porcelain cherub-handled vase — broken rim and handles reassembled for display.

Porcelain greyhound group — fractures reassembled, paw and tail losses rebuilt.

FAQ

WHAT TYPES OF PORCELAIN DO YOU REPAIR?
We work with porcelain and fine china across many periods and makers, including plates, cups, saucers, serving pieces, figurines, vases, boxes, and lamps. Projects range from single items to multiple pieces from a set. If you are unsure whether your piece is suitable, photos and dimensions are usually enough for us to advise.

CAN REPAIRED PORCELAIN BE USED FOR FOOD OR LIQUIDS?
Repaired porcelain and fine china are best treated as decorative. Conservation-grade adhesives and fills are strong and stable but are not intended for direct contact with food or prolonged exposure to heat and moisture. Many clients continue to use repaired pieces for light, careful service, but we recommend display use when there is any doubt.

HOW DO I GET AN ESTIMATE FOR PORCELAIN REPAIR?
Begin by sending clear photos and basic measurements through the Request an Estimate form. Include overall views and close-ups of cracks, missing areas, and any old repairs. From this, we can usually outline a treatment approach, estimated cost range, and projected timeframe. For especially complex or high-value pieces, we may suggest an in-person review after initial discussion.

DO YOU ACCEPT PORCELAIN BY SHIPMENT FROM OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA?
Yes. We regularly receive porcelain and fine china by shipment from across the United States. After reviewing your photos, we provide packing guidance so you can prepare the piece safely. You then ship using your chosen carrier and any insurance you arrange directly. Once work is complete, we coordinate return shipping from the studio.
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HOW LONG DOES PORCELAIN REPAIR USUALLY TAKE?
Timing depends on the number of pieces, the extent of damage, and current studio workload. Simple repairs may move through the schedule more quickly, while complex figurines or sets with extensive losses require more staged work and curing time. When you inquire, we share a projected window for your project and update you if anything significant changes.

REQUEST AN ESTIMATE

Send clear photos and dimensions to begin.

RELATED

• Ceramic & Porcelain Restoration — Overview of ceramic, porcelain, and fine china restoration services.
• Ceramic Restoration — Conservation-minded repair for earthenware, stoneware, and studio ceramics.
• Request an Estimate — Send photos and dimensions to begin your project.
• Antique Restoration FAQs — Common questions about process, timing, and shipping.