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In February 1993 Jessica attended a class in porcelain restoration at Fulbeck Hall in Grantham. This was the home of her friend, Mary Fry. Mary stands in the doorway of the house. The tutor was Anna Hackett, a mutual friend. I fear that the negatives of these images have been permanently lost, so today’s scans are of the colour prints.
Decorative plates, cups,
and delicate dishes all needed the expert attention,
of those able to handle these materials.
The expression of this Japanese gentleman appears to have frozen when he lost his hand.
With the use of a mounted magnifying glass, Jessica painted an elaborate rococo piece.
Here she examines a small chip.
Anna selects a brush with which to touch up a large blue and white jug.
I am not sure what she is doing with this tool.
Another student shares a joke;
Anna turns her careful attention to a beautifully painted urn;
then came a rather perplexing challenge
which gave rise to a forgotten conversation.
Can you provide the dialogue between Anna and Mary?
The opening photograph of Fulbeck Hall is one of a set I produced for Mary’s promotional brochure. I will feature the rest tomorrow.
This evening we dined on highly spiced marinaded spare ribs, wild rice and peas, and spring rolls. I drank Mendoza Parra Alta malbec 2017.
I really do admire skill like that.
Thanks very much, John
I also admire that skill. The house is beautiful, too.
Thanks a lot, Merril
It takes knowledge and skill to do this kind of work.
She was very good, Amy. Many thanks
I am always so impressed with artistry. But I am even more impressed with the repairing of any object that is all too often thrown away and replaced with something modern and inferior.
Good point, Paol. Many thanks
Wow this is lovely Derrick. Thanks for sharing with us! Gorgeous work
Many thanks, Lynn
Agreed – incredible amount of skill and a very steady hand! As to the possible conversation, I have nothing to offer except perhaps “My, that’s a lot of pieces!” and “But, I don’t know where this bit goes”
Nice one, Pauline. Many thanks
“Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! How can the poor thing cock a leg if it hasn’t got any?”
I knew you’d come up with a good one, Bruce. Many thanks
I actually like the scans of the prints. I know nothing about photography, but somehow the colour saturation (if that’s even the correct term) looks very natural to me, more like my memories.
Many thanks, Oglach. I think that is because of the use of film
This looks like something I would like to learn. As to the dialogue, the photos and my mind take me to a mysterious treasure hidden in the doggie that they can’t quite reach. If they want it, they will have to break it more. If they fix it as is, it will be hidden again.
That’s a clever one, JoAnna. Thanks a lot
🙂
Even if it was just a class they look like professionals. I bet such job requires high degree of accuracy.
Yes. It is amazing. Thanks very much, Rupali
That would take a tremendous amount of skill and patience. A different type of puzzling, right?
Very much so, Jill. Many thanks
“Poor pup has been to hell and back, and not a leg to stand on.”
Nice one, Van. Thank you very much
Lovely artistry!
Thank a lot, Maria
Patience and a very steady hand must be required for this!
Certainly, Clare. Thanks very much
I had no idea there was such a thing as a class to learn porcelain restoration. That first plate is so beautiful! What an amazing idea. My idea would be to take all the chips and broken fragments and create a mosaic ;).
Thanks a lot, Luanne. It is quite a skill.
I imagine so!
A very delicate and time consuming hobby, yet an invaluable service for those who appreciate Porcelain, the restorers are artists in their own right, great set of pics and interesting Derrick.
Very many thanks, Ian
I never knew such delicate porcelain pieces could be repaired so expertly, a really fascinating story.
Many thanks, Ivor. In good hands one would never know there had been restoration.
The sight of the maimed dog left me with an expression not unlike the Japanese gentleman.Worse, it froze too! To me, those are excellent storytelling images —any dialogue would be superfluous. But I do like Bruce’s voice over.
Many thanks, Uma
I agree, Uma – Derrick’s comments and the photos are such that I was hesitant to add my own feeble contributions. Bravo to those that did. Excellent job!
🙂
Porcelain restoration sounds like an endeavor requiring a steady hand and eye for detail. I enjoyed this series of photos, Derrick!
I’m pleased. Lavinia. Thank you very much
I am in awe of the restorer’s skill be it furniture, painting or porcelain. The patience and technical understanding, the razor sharp eye for detail and the need to adapt to each piece is quite boggling to a ham fisted all thumbs girl like me 🙂
Many thanks, Osyth. your skill is with words.
Thank you, Derrick …. such a compliment from you is well received.
Wow! I love those colorful plates. What a gift to restore such.
Many thanks, Arlene. Anna was very good
Such intricate work which requires patience and skill, love your sharing of photos Derrick and as for dialogue.. Hummm… Now … Lets see… ” Are you sure this is the dogs tail piece?” 😉
Sending lots of smiles and well wishes to you and yours Derrick.. Have a peaceful weekend 🙂
Sue 🙂
Many thanks, Sue. Good suggestion for dialogue 🙂
:-). wishing you a great weekend.. 😀
You too X
Wonderful post!
Thanks very much, Elisabet
A steady hand, a little bit of patience and a whole lot of talent!
Absolutely, GP. Many thanks
A great craft, if I may call it this way, the porcelaine is beautiful.
It certainly is, Sylvie. Thank you
That must take the patience of Job and serenity of the mind to even attempt; I cannot even imagine it. I do envy them
This was a fun question and I would have probably been perplexed how to piece some of these together. My brother, Randy, helps out an antique store with wooden pieces and has been able to take a fancy twin size headboard for a bed and add wood, stain and finials, creating a queen sized one. I stood there amazed as I looked at the “before repair” photo compared to the final product over my Oct. 20-22 weekend. . . This work these women do is very tedious and requires delicate skills.
Thank s very much, Robin. Well done, Randy
Lovely! Made me want to take porcelain painting lessons 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Geetha
You’re welcome Derrick 🙂
Such skilled work! Alas, no immediate dialogue springs to mind! … unless there’s a postman involved…!!
Nice one, Rob. Thank you.
It reminds me of this picture. http://images.cafepress.com/image/18616179_400x400.jpg
Looks like a very interesting day.
Priceless link. Thanks a lot, Quercus
🙂