# Detailed Summary

The piece being discussed is one of a pair of vases created in China around the year 1700. These vases are characterized by their underglaze blue painting, adorned with square reserves that depict various themes, including landscapes, figures, antique objects, and animals. An illustration from 1816 showcases this pair on display in the King’s Gallery at Kensington Palace.

In January 1892, a report by Anne Barkworth, a housemaid, details an incident involving the breaking of one of these blue and white vases, which was found shattered into 34 pieces. The vase underwent careful repairs. At that time, restoration methods were different; the repairman would use an animal-based glue made from skin, hoof, and horn, which is boiled and filtered for application. This type of glue is naturally brown, presenting aesthetic challenges when repairing white porcelain, as it darkens over time due to oxidation and the absorption of dust and grease.

Additionally, another visible aspect of the repair involved the use of plaster fill, as well as a mixture of wax and resin, which were commonly utilized in porcelain restoration during that era. The necessity for replacing these materials as part of the ongoing restoration process was also mentioned.

The Royal Family

[Music] The piece is one of a pair of vases made in China around 1700. They are painted in underglaze blue with square reserves containing scenes with landscapes, figures, antique objects, and animals. There is an illustration from 1816 which shows the pair on display in the King's Gallery at Kensington Palace.

January 1892, Anne Barkworth, Housemaid, reported the accident of breaking this blue and white bottle, which was found to be in 34 pieces and has been carefully repaired.

Back in 1892, restoration was very different. The repairer would have used glue much like this to stick the pieces of porcelain back together. It's made from animal byproducts—skin, hoof, and horn—boiled in water, filtered, then reactivated in a double boiler. Animal glues like this are naturally brown in color, which is less than ideal for white porcelain. Over time, they become even darker as they oxidize and absorb atmospheric dust and grease from handling.

The other highly visible aspect of the repair is the simple plaster fill. Other materials often used for this purpose was a mixture of wax and resin. This will have to be replaced as part of the restoration.

[Music]


Royal Collection Trust: Restoring Porcelain, Part 1

[Music]
the piece is one of a pair of vses made
in China around
1700 they are painted in underglaze blue
with square reserves containing scenes
with Landscapes figures antique objects
and animals
there is an illustration from
1816 which shows the pair on display in
the King's Gallery at Kensington Palace
January
1892 Anne barkworth housemid reported
the accident of breaking this blue and
white bottle which was found to be in 34
pieces and has been carefully repaired
back in
1892 restoration was very different the
repairer would have used glue much like
this to stick the pieces of porcelain
back
together it's made from animal
byproducts skin hoof and Horn boiled in
water
filtered then reactivated in a double
boiler animal glues like this are
naturally brown in color Which is less
than ideal for white
porcelain over time they become even
darker as they oxidize and absorb
atmospheric dust and grease from
handling the other highly visible aspect
of the repair is the simple plaster fill
other materials often used for for this
purpose was a mixture of wax and resin
this will have to be replaced as part of
the restoration e
[Music]

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Royal Collection Trust: Restoring Porcelain, Part 1

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