The Art of Mending

November 18, 2016 12:37 PM

Imagine trying to solve three puzzles at once. Now, imagine all the pieces mixed together in one big pile.
posted by bq (13 comments total)

One of my recurring anxieties is that I will someday be the one to destroy something of great and ancient value. It soothes me somewhat to know that restoration is possible, but I still pre-grieve for the objects that I will cause to never quite be the same again.
posted by sparklemotion at 12:52 PM on November 18, 2016 [3 favorites]

I'm amazed it took only ten months to restore those vases!
posted by ejs at 12:57 PM on November 18, 2016

At first I thought this was going to be an in-browser game, but I'm delighted regardless.
posted by Theta States at 12:59 PM on November 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

Also: the animation of the vases smashing is surprisingly satisfying.
posted by Theta States at 1:00 PM on November 18, 2016

The "detailed slide show of the reassembly" has some in-browser game type stuff.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 1:10 PM on November 18, 2016

I had a friend growing up who did this for a living, specializing in Roseville pottery but doing a little bit of everything. The "before" shots were basically a dustpan full of shards, and the "after" shots were perfect, just like you see here. I asked her once how she did it and she said "Carefully" and then followed up with "It takes practice."
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:59 PM on November 18, 2016 [3 favorites]

I'd imagine practicing for this involves going to Goodwill and buying a bunch of cheap plates.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 3:07 PM on November 18, 2016 [3 favorites]

Imagine trying to solve three puzzles at once. Now, imagine all the pieces mixed together in one big pile.

Oh how I long for those more simple days.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:03 PM on November 18, 2016

"There’s something decidedly therapeutic about these accounts of broken, incomplete bits made whole again. With incredible patience, careful research, and creative thinking, ceramics conservators teach us that all is never lost."

YES! That's exactly why I love conservation articles like this so much.
posted by Kevin Street at 4:11 PM on November 18, 2016 [1 favorite]

She practiced with fixing up her own Roseville, then started moonlighting with some antiques dealers who needed restoration, then got going on her own.
posted by blnkfrnk at 4:14 PM on November 18, 2016

My husband and I have a holiday jigsaw tradition. I hope he does not notice this post.
posted by Dashy at 6:06 PM on November 18, 2016

Thanks for that FPP - when they were scraping the filler off with a file and scalpel over fragile cracks, I held my breath thinking about the nerve that took knowing a slip could set back so much work, and doing that every day for hours each week, gah.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 7:01 PM on November 18, 2016

ejs: "I'm amazed it took only ten months to restore those vases!"

I wonder how long it took the original craftsmen to make them.

Also it's a bit daunting to imagine a 40 year career as a vase reassembler could mean reassembling a mere 120 vases.
posted by Mitheral at 12:40 AM on November 19, 2016 [3 favorites]