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Hi, my name is Kate Kirby and I am
a restoration artist. I have professionally restored antique art pottery and
porcelain for antique dealers, collectors and everyday folks for the past
fourteen years. Once Bitten Restoration Service, a well-known name on the
west coast, has now come to the Midwest! I relocated from California last
year and have set up shop right here in Belleville, Illinois.
Restoration of these antique pieces
has become more widely accepted and understood over this past decade that I
have been doing this, but this was not the case when I started to learn the
process some sixteen years ago. In fact, obtaining information on the
methods and materials to use was quite a challenge at the time. Fortunately
for me I ran into a couple in northern California that were restoring China
for a living and they were kind enough to share with me a list of products
and suppliers that made the daunting task of learning restoration a bit
easier to say the least.
Not only was the process a
bit foreign to most people who were passionate about these art objects, the
concept of restoring them was actually not held in a very favorable light at
that time. As silly as that seems today, there were those that felt
restoration was a ploy by disreputable dealers to pass off damaged goods as
mint pieces, therefore making anyone like myself a questionable character!
Although we have come a long way in
this department, mainly because of the realization that these are a finite
resource and should be preserved at all cost, there are still questions and
concerns about restoration that I am asked quite frequently. |
Once Bitten Restoration Services
Porcelain
China
Pottery
Professionally Repaired
Invisibly Mended
Call 618-825-0120 for more information.
Located in Southern Illinois
Before restoration.
After restoration. |
| One of the most
commonly asked questions, is "Do I re-fire these items?". The answer is NO.
There is basically two parts to restoration. The FIX it side and the FINISH
side. All the materials used for these steps are air dry materials that are
applied to the surface of the piece in the areas of damage. I use 2 part
epoxy glues to join broken pieces together. Two part epoxy putty to fill
chips, fill cracks, and sculpt missing parts. Lacquer
based soft fills to level surfaces, lacquer based paints to recreate designs
on surfaces, as well as 3 part polyurethane to seal and preserve the
restoration. I recreate intricate designs with
water colors, oil paints, acrylics and artist pencils. When the work is done
the piece appears to the eye as if it was never broken. The restoration,
although durable, washable and touchable, does require special care, I.E.:
no dishwashers, no harsh cleaning products, and no long term exposure to
water. Namely using a vase for flowers, or soaking in a sink. Because the
restoration is not re-fired, and the material basically are applied to the
surface only, a food service piece becomes a decorative item only, and
should never be used for its originally purpose.
The second most frequently asked question I get
is, "How does restoration effort the value of a piece?" Well this one is
defiantly open for debate! I think it is safe to say that an antique piece
of pottery or porcelain is worth more professionally restored, than it is
left broken. With that said, from there we evaluate the rarity of the piece.
For instance, is it a piece of depression era Roseville, that with a little
effort the collector could acquire a mint piece instead of a restored one.
If so, the value of the restored piece is more directly affected by that
face that is has been restored. And in fact, perhaps it does not merit the
time and expense required to restore it at all. |
But on the other hand, if it is a signed
piece of Rookwood, that is scarce and hard to come by, chances are, the
restoration, if done well, will hardly affect the value at all, in fact as I
said before, may add to its desirability. Of course there is no price tag on
Sentiment. I work for folks everyday, that have family pieces that are a
part of their family histories and are without question worth every cent it
costs to return them to their original beauty, so future generations can
enjoy, and remember their significance. So, if you are a collector, you have
to ask yourself, is this a piece I’ve had a hard time finding. If you are a
dealer, you have to ask yourself, what will I have into the piece after
restoration, and what can I sell it for, and if you are a "civilian", you
have to ask yourself, just important was Grandma?" Just kidding, but you get
the point I hope!
Lastly, everyone wants to know, "What will this
cost me, and how long does it take?" Well, I am cheaper than the plumber for
sure! I require a small deposit up front on the work and at the time you
give it to me, I will give you an accurate quote of entire cost, so that you
can decide right then if this is an investment worth making. My turn around
time usually falls two to three months out, depending on amount of damage to
the piece, as well as how much work I have taken in at the time. I am a one
woman show, and the process of restoration is time consuming, but I can
assure you, I do not want to keep your piece any longer than necessary, and
I will be diligent in getting it back to you.
I hope I have cleared up some of the mysteries
concerning restoration. I look forward to establishing long term
relationships here, as I have with my West Coast clients, all of which I
still work for, even though they are now having to spend a little more on
shipping! I am happy to supply names and numbers for references and I look
forward to meeting all of you!
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