Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: scavo on May 24, 2012, 06:27:58 AM
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I have a couple of pieces of outstanding glass that have chips on extremities.
They were originally formed with glass, hot from the furnace. Would it be possible for a lamp worker to bring the glass back to the molten state to soften the edges or even reshape slightly?
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I think not as the expansion factor of both glass types must be identical.
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The risk of the glass cracking or shattering is high. I have seen a couple of swans with broken necks that had then been fused and they looked horrendous.
John
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Hi Ivo, maybe I'm not being as clear as I should be. I'm talking about a Seguso heron sculpture and a 'murano(ish)' fish. In both cases they have chips. The heron is chipped on the end of his beak. The fish has a bit missing from its main fin. I wondered if the areas that have been damaged could selectively be re heated to point where the could be reworked slightly.
The alternative would be fine down the points but this would still leave a matte finish rather than bright.
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The alternative would be fine down the points but this would still leave a matte finish rather than bright.
.......But could then be polished......seen it and the results were fantastic. You'd never know a repair had been done.
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Can you expand a little Emmi - where and by whom, and is it viable only for valuable pieces. - as could be useful information. :)
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???
If a repair is of a quality that leads folk to think it had never been done, I'm afraid I think one can be getting into dodgy ground when it comes to buying or selling - and even if you intend to keep it for your lifetime - there is no telling what sort of muddle could arise later
Repairs should always be declared.
I personally think they ought to be obvious in some small, subtle way.
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There are several glass restorers in the UK that I am aware of, ( I think both have been mentioned on this Forum in the past) - they do a highly professional and skilled job.
I can't give any details as I am abroad at the moment and don't have info to hand but most professional dealers will know.
I have been told that many a glass dealer at the major glass fairs use these people. I have never seen it broadcast that any item has been repaired. Personally, if a piece looks perfect, why should it matter that it may have had some cosmetic surgery.( and it is usually undetectable, unlike cosmetic surgery on humans) It is done with ceramics, jewellery , furniture and books etc. throughout the Antiques Trade.
Just found this recommendation on a previous thread. Interesting.
Offline chopin-liszt
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Re: GLASS REPAIR! PLEEEEEZE.
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2011, 06:06:47 PM »
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I don't know where you are, but Basil (Loveredge - sp???) in London is absolutely excellent. I've been told he's getting pricey, but if you want a good job done on a good piece, I think he's worth it.
(I've got the hassle of getting things to him from here in Dundee - and an even harder job getting things back - I have to do it via family members who don't always want to part with my glass once they've got their mitts on it!)
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Cheers, Sue (M)
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Just found this recommendation on a previous thread. Interesting.
Love it.....................
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Not all repairs are "hidden".
Any restoration should always be mentioned and documented. I would never consider doing otherwise.
It's the business of passing a restored thing off as unrestored that is dishonest.
How flattering that folk hang on my every word from yonks ago! ;D
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quote.............."It is done with ceramics, jewellery , furniture and books etc. throughout the Antiques Trade." Unfortunately, the antiques trade in general, is not known for it's transparence or honesty - they're in business to make money - which doesn't mean there aren't some honest dealers, but they are few and far between.
The matter at heart is whether or not you are destroying the integrity and originality of the article in question, and it's hard to find fault with the proposal that if you can't tell the difference between a restored/repaired piece and a perfect original, then where's the problem. However, I'd take exception to the fact that Emmi includes books.........current thinking is that because of the material and nature of these things, then it's best to leave well alone - isolate the object into a box or whatever, and reduce deterioration to a minimum. Unfortunately, there is a feeling that conservationists go too far with this ethos, and then because of their fragility, these things then remain out of bounds to most of us. The original construction of books has sometimes been quite complex, and it really is fair comment to say that will nilly rebinding would obviously destroy much of the evolution of a books life. But I'd agree that if it's undetectable on glass, ceramics, and jewellery, and provided it's not the Portland Vase, it shouldn't be a problem.
There is probably a difference here as to whether we are speaking of museum property or material in the commercial world. I doubt that the V. & A. would start sticking bits back on, or filing chipped edges - but a dealer would if they thought it would make extra bucks, and remain undetected........... and anyway, don't collectors want pieces that look perfect :)
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Basil Loveridge now in Brackley I can vouch for his work and no I didn't 'declare' the repair must have slipped my mind.
http://www.yell.com/b/Basil+Loveridge+Glass+Restoration-Antique+Repair+and+Restoration-Brackley-NN137AX-3800657/index.html
Also Redhouse glass in Stourbridge too.
http://heartofenglandglass.co.uk/trade-industry/executive-crystal/
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How flattering that folk hang on my every word from yonks ago! ;D
:) It is you who flatter me Sue, by thinking I should have such a good memory!!!! ::) I was simply searching for some details on Basil's restoration skills and discovered you already know how good he is !
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Thanks everyone for your comments.
As the pieces I am considering were bought to resell, either as are - or repaired, the costs would have to be warranted in the resale value. I believe the heron I have is worth $300 - $400 (in perfect condition) but the the fish remains an unknown as yet.
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I got taken out to an antiques centre at the weekend, where I saw a lovely Sumida pottery vase - it's a kind of ceramic I think is particularly lovely, although this one was flowery rather than having the little figures all over it. They are particularly prone to damage. The vase was clearly labelled "Restored, which is reflected in the price."
Honest and straightforward, you know where you are with that sort of seller, you know there will be no quibbling about the price and it's up to you whether or not you want it.
Given you are a seller, I would think you might be as well leaving it up to your buyer whether or not they want to do something with it (whatever the final outcome ::) ) rather than agonising over it yourself and spending your time as well as your cash on it.