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Ideal Guidelines for Maintaining Antique Ceramics
Get into the habit of picking up your antique ceramics with both hands at the base. Don't use handles, spouts, or similar protrusions even if they were originally intended for that purpose. These
are the areas of the pieces most likely to weaken with age and to snap off in your hands.
Antique ceramics should be carefully displaced in secure locations and protected from exposure to both humidity and from the sun. Exposure to the sun will not only cause the pieces to dry, but will fade the surface decoration and will weaken agents used to adhere repaired pieces.
If you have an older home in which antique ceramic tile has been used, clean it carefully with only a lightly damp cloth or a dry artist's brush. Do not use any kind of detergents or house hold cleaning bleaches like Clorox. If any ceramic piece has marks or stains from contact with metal like
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jewelry or silverware, just use a plain pencil eraser to gently remove them. Terracotta, jasper and Parian pieces should only be cleaned by a professional restorer.
Periodically examine your pieces for cracks or other surface imperfections. Sometimes pieces dry out and develop cracks from just sitting on the shelf. In this event the piece should be repaired by a qualified restorer. When you need to transport a cracked piece of ceramic pottery carry it with care, wrap it with newspaper, and place it by itself in a box filled with Styrofoam "peanuts."
Finally, do not attempt to repair your antique ceramic pieces on your own. The level of skill required is beyond any amateur. If you really want to protect your investment, look for a professional antique ceramics restorer. He will be able to evaluate the level of the damage and give you the price and estimated time for repair. If handled correctly, most antique ceramics are not necessarily any more fragile than other antique house wares or d ecorative items. If you're careful, you and your ceramics will be fine.
If you have decided that this collector's hobby is for you, then go for it! Spend your time conducting research at antique stores, museums, on the Internet and in specialized magazines. After some time you will be able to recognize specific kinds of antique ceramics and to base your choices on a personal evaluation of the quality of anything from antique ceramic tile to antique ceramic dishes.
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