{"id":14098,"date":"2022-08-30T09:30:08","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T07:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=34407"},"modified":"2022-08-30T10:00:17","modified_gmt":"2022-08-30T08:00:17","slug":"collecting-antique-ceramics-the-different-types-of-ceramics-their-value-and-how-to-fix-and-clean-them","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/collecting-antique-ceramics-the-different-types-of-ceramics-their-value-and-how-to-fix-and-clean-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Collecting antique ceramics: the different types of ceramics, their value and how to fix and clean them"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Freya Parr\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 30 August 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Unlike many other art forms, collecting ceramics and pottery is fairly accessible. Vintage and antique pottery and ceramics are fairly ubiquitous, due to the fact that most households will have owned some kind of tableware over the generations, much of which is passed down. Even if you haven\u2019t inherited anything, you can start collecting now.<\/p>\n

Whether you enjoy hunting down bargains at flea markets and second-hand shops or making investment purchases at antique fairs and auction houses, ceramics and pottery are a great place to start. Unlike paintings or tapestries, you don\u2019t need a wall to hang them on. Ceramics can be part of your everyday life. You can throw your loose earrings and rings into vintage cabbageware or drink your tea from a Wedgwood mug.<\/p>\n

Check out new ceramic artists and potters on Instagram<\/strong><\/a> or take a trip to The Potteries<\/strong><\/a> (Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire) to visit iconic British pottery factories, and start your collection now.<\/p>\n

What are ceramics?<\/b><\/h2>\n
A ceramic is created by shaping and then firing a non-metal material, such as clay, at a high temperature. Ceramics are permanently changed when they are placed under this intense heat during the firing process. Early ceramics were often pottery objects \u2013\u00a0pots, vessels or containers \u2013\u00a0but since then, ceramics have evolved to become more artistic, not necessarily tied to a practical use. You\u2019ll now see ceramics brought to life in tableware, tiles and sculptures, as well as bowls and cups.<\/p>\n
Traditional ceramics are made using clay, with additional ingredients added to create different types of ceramics.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re interested in buying antique ceramics but don\u2019t know where to start, check out our guide to how to buy antiques on Instagram<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
What is a ceramic glaze?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Glazes are added during the firing process to create smooth, shiny surfaces and help protect the ceramic. Glazes are a type of glass that stick to the clay surfaces and help seal the porous ceramic when holding liquids. They also decorate a ceramic, as well as simply waterproof it, adding a glossy or matte finish and colour.<\/p>\n
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How do you date ceramics and when do they become antique?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Older pottery will have been made by hand, with the modern motor-driven potter\u2019s wheel only developed more recently. Looking for marks can also help you determine when the ceramic might have been made, with potters and craftspeople often etching onto the bottom of their pieces. You can also determine a ceramic\u2019s age by its type (what it\u2019s made of) and what type of glaze was used.<\/p>\n
As for the question of when a ceramic becomes an antique, it\u2019s a little vague. The term \u2018antique\u2019 is used differently among different dictionaries, collectors and experts. Some consider it simply to be a collectable item from the past, while others, like\u00a0Antiques Roadshow\u00a0<\/em>expert Theo Burrell, are more specific. He believes an antique to be anything over 100 years old.<\/p>\n
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Read more<\/strong><\/p>\n
A history of The Potteries: how a cottage industry joined the global marketplace<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
How to decorate with studio pottery<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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How do you know if ceramics are valuable?<\/b><\/h2>\n
There\u2019s no definitive value to a ceramic, but there are a few tell-tale signs you should look out for and consider when you\u2019re looking to value your pieces and get them appraised.<\/p>\n
Authenticity:<\/strong> Some will be obvious, but there are authenticators trained in this art if you think you might be sitting on a real gem. A designer or marker\u2019s mark<\/strong><\/a> or signature is a particularly good sign that a piece is authentic \u2013 but it could have been forged. Even if you\u2019re fairly sure a ceramic has been made by a particular designer, it will be much more valuable if it has their mark or signature on it as it helps confirm the verification.<\/p>\n
Condition:<\/strong> If there are any breakages or damage to a ceramic, it will depreciate in value. A good restoring job can help revive it, but make sure you go to a reputable restorer.<\/p>\n
Rarity:<\/strong> If a ceramic was particularly ubiquitous during its period of manufacture, it will be worth much less. This is why people often go to studio potters<\/strong><\/a> for their investment pieces, as the runs are significantly shorter and therefore each individual piece is worth more.<\/p>\n
Popularity:<\/strong> As certain pieces come in and out of popularity, they will increase and decrease in value. This is why it\u2019s sometimes good to store any ceramics that might not currently be fashionable \u2013\u00a0in ten years, they might be!<\/p>\n
Find out how to get an antique valued here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nHow to fix broken ceramics <\/b><\/h2>\n
If you have a particularly valuable ceramic that has been damaged, you\u2019re best off going to the experts and getting it properly restored. However, if there\u2019s an object you love at home that you\u2019d like to fix yourself, try it!<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll need to start by washing and drying the chipped surfaces of the ceramic, making sure the pieces are free of any dirt. Then, try fitting them together without using glue. Are there any gaps missing? If so, you\u2019ll need to recreate them somehow. It\u2019s then time to apply the glue or adhesive.<\/p>\n
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