In 2006 a visitor to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, slipped and fell. The resulting damage to three large Chinese vases was considerable.
The restoration project was documented and gives anyone a pretty clear idea of the work of ceramic restorers. Whether or not the visitor suffered any injury is not recorded, but it is hoped their recovery was as successful. Click here to see how the restoration was performed.
Johanna is a member of the Institute of Conservation, the national body concerned with the conservation of cultural heritage. The charity’s website offers help and information for professional conservators, private individuals and public organisations.
Links to national collections of ceramics that may be useful to collectors :
The Collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The Collections at the Hermitage, St. Petersburg
The Collections at the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge
The Collections at the British Museum, London