About our service capabilities: We restore a wide range of materials which include pottery, ceramic, china, terra-cotta, porcelain, clay, stoneware, stone, plaster, resin, wood and other related materials.
Our repair and restoration services include almost any antique, collectible, art objects, ornaments or picture frames. As you may see from our Before and After example page, the range of repairs we can perform is diverse - it can be on a simple crack, chipped item or a multiple breaks and / or on items with missing pieces. Lakeside Pottery can match the ceramic material and restore the original look and feel. As an option, we have the unique capability, as ceramic artists, of taking an impression of missing pieces, reproducing them from clay and kiln firing the duplicated pieces (instead of a "cold" filler option) to insure uniformity of materials. At times, making a Custom Made replica in our pottery studio is a more cost effective option which you may choose.
Satisfaction guaranteed: We do not ask for the balance due payment until you are 100% satisfied with the end results (we'll e-mail you high resolution pictures for review). Our repair process yields extremely strong bond of broken pieces and repair will not change colors with time. Short video illustrating and example of our work process.
Pricing: The cost of repairing a damaged item depends on the type and extent of the damages taking the following into our calculations:
Is removal of an old repair attempt is required?
How many breaks, cracks or chips?
Are pieces missing? If yes, will we be required to fabricate them?
How large of a surface area needs to be repainted and how many shades of colors are required to match?
What repair type is chosen?
Does the restoration cost make financial sense?
Will it be better, if possible, to create a replica on commission using our Pottery Made to Order services?
Most repairs range from $95 - $280. We require 50% payment prior to restoration commencement
Note: 3% charge card payment will be added to electronic invoice paid online.
Lead time: Most repairs can be completed within 2-5 weeks
How to proceed with using our restoration services:
- Fill the form below - we will reply with a ball park cost estimate and lead time to completion
- If you decide to proceed, pack the item and mail it to us to the address below - see shipping instructions - We'll charge you half of the projected total cost
- Once item is restored, we'll e-mail you high resolution pictures for your approval
- We'll email you an invoice for the balance due - can be paid online or by check
- When we are fully paid, we will ship the item back to you following your shipping and insurance instructions
Note: We do not restore functional items such as cooking ware. The repair materials may be effected by excessive contact with liquids and temperature above 150 degree F. We could make repaired items water proof but it will not be food safe.
1) Clean up and remove dust, oils and previous gluing attempts when applicable
2) Determine order of cementing / mending pieces and glue in sub-sections using the appropriate adhesive
3) Mend large sections
4) Fill in missing pieces and gaps with appropriate materials (determined on a case by case basis) or furbish missing pieces out of clay (requires kiln firing)
5) Sand surface - round 1
6) Fill sandpaper's scratch lines using fine particles epoxy / resin filler
7) Sand with finer sandpaper
8) Sand with even finer / wet sandpaper
9) Prime repaired surfaces
10) Test for proper ratio of additives-to-color to match light reflection and sheen attributes (glossy, semigloss, mat or anything in between)
11) Match colors, surface texture and antiquing (when applicable)
12) Clean and polish
You may choose some or all steps depending on your budget.
Wrap each piece separately in bubble wrap. Place in a sturdy box and allow a 2-5" of foam peanuts or bubble wrap buffer between the broken items and the wall of the box. The larger the item is, a larger buffer is required. We prefer to see you pack it in "double boxes" having the inside box float in the second box with foam peanuts or bubble warp in between the two boxes. Double boxing is much safer way to ship and UPS will allow you to insure it for higher amount if you choose so.
Shipping instructions:
In the box, include filled and signed Restoration Form. If you find it difficult packing it yourself, UPS and FedEx can do it for you for an additional fee. We prefer UPS and they include $100 automatic insurance coverage and $2 for every additional $100 insurance coverage. Please ship to the address below (directly to our restorations studio / lab)
Because we are also an educational facility, we have created some tutorials for those of you that prefer to repair the broken item at home (DIY) using more commercially available materials. See below brief description of the tutorials and links to more detailed information and illustrations.
1) Cementing / Mending the broken pieces and providing proper structure integrity is the first step. Using our technique and various materials, often, the broken area is stronger than the rest of the repaired object. See link below for a brief DIY tutorial of a simple repair without hiding the repaired seam. Visit the next link to a page that will help you in deciding Which Adhesive is The Best For Pottery or Ceramic Repair and Restoration.
2) If pieces are missing, we are able to create the missing pieces impression, create a mold and remake the missing pieces from clay (including kiln firing) to fit precisely. A lower cost option is to use a suitable filler. See link for a brief tutorial of a more comprehensive restoration restoring colors and completely hiding the breakage.
3) Hiding the repair lines and gaps is done with different techniques on a case by case basis. Color matching, luster, light reflection, texture and aging is duplicated by using one or several additives to the color pigments and specialized tools to restore the original look. With old items with aging characteristics, we are able to add "antiquing" to the restored object.
4) More complete illustration of our restoration lab tools, equipment and materials., The tour includes a large example of equipment and materials that may be needed for repairing and restoring pottery or ceramic objects removing some of the secrecy in this industry. Materials and tools used in our studio
5) Sometimes, the repair cost does not make financial sense. Often, we are able to duplicate and create a replica of the broken item. See our pottery custom made and commission offering in the link below.
In the studio - restoring Albero Spinetti's sculpture
Materials Repaired:
Art Pottery
Stoneware
Porcelain
China
Bisque
Ceramic
Terra Cotta
Wood
Composite
Majolica
Marble
Ivory
Stone
Picture Frames
Items Repaired:
Antiques
Figures and Figurines
Bowls & Urns
Bottles & Vases
Porcelain Dolls
Plates & Platters
Cookie Jars
Ceramic Lamps
Animal Figurines
Teapots & Cups
Unusual pieces
Candlesticks
Christmas ornaments
Memorabilia
Souvenirs
Family Heirlooms
Tiles & Dolls
Sculptures
Saucers
Restoration Customer Comments & Reviews Customer experience with Lakeside Pottery's restoration services back to main page
Morty and Patty, ‘Just wanted to send a short not to tell you my trivet arrived last week – you did fabulous restoration work on it!!! Even the backside looks perfect! I very much enjoyed doing business with you – you were not only a pleasure to deal with, you were prompt with an estimate, prompt in turning the project around and prompt in getting the piece back to me. A lot of businesses could use a lesson from the two of you – you make a great team! Again, many thanks. Kathleen P.
I cannot thank Patty and Morty at Lakeside Pottery enough for the incredible repair work they did for us. After spending a week in Morocco trying to find the perfect antique for our home, we were so excited to return to New York with a piece we just loved. No carpets or magic lanterns for us, we had found a gorgeous antique ceramic tagine with beautiful silver and stone detail. So you can imagine our devastation when we opened up the box it had been shipped in and found it very, very broken. Whole chunks of ceramic had chipped off, and there were deep cracks, well, everywhere. We thought it was going to be totally hopeless to fix it, and the more we called around to restorers in New York City (who either didn't call us back or quoted us astronomical prices to fix it) the more discouraged we became.
Then I came across the website for Lakeside Pottery. I immediately had a good feeling. Patty and Morty were very responsive right from the outset - they returned my phone calls and emails quickly and were so kind and honest. They gave me a very fair estimate based on the photos I sent and were very communicative throughout the process. When the tagine arrived at their studio, Morty called me to let me know that the damage was far worse than he'd been able to see from the pictures. Basically the whole thing was shattered and being held together by the intricate metal work. A total disaster. Without taking the whole thing apart (which would cost thousands of dollars we didn't have), it would be tough to really fix. I started to panic. Don't worry though, Morty said, he had a plan.
Well, his plan worked! Over the phone, Morty took me through exactly what he was planning to do to fix it, he was so good about keeping me in the loop and making sure I understood the process. I was truly shocked when only a short time later Morty called me to tell me he'd be shipping it back to me restored. We couldn't believe how fantastic it looked when it arrived. I had assumed that no matter what we'd always be able to see the cracks where it had been shattered, but the way he fixed it you'd never be able to tell it had broken in the first place. And while I'm thrilled that they were able to repair the tagine so well, I'm equally thrilled at what a nice experience it was. What could have been a stress, nerve-wrecking experience ended up being a truly lovely one! Now the tagine is prominently displayed in my home and everyone who sees it just raves about it.
While I hope not to have too many more antiques break in my future, from now on I won't be quite so devastated knowing I can send them up to Lakeside! I highly recommend working with them .
Before: "My grand daughter broke my father's 12 inch fruit platter, which he bought with my mother when they first got married 55 years ago, and I would like to have it restored."
After: "Wow, that is truly unbelievable. It brings tears to my eyes. Like I said, it has mostly sentimental value, but it wasn't until it broke that I actually noticed I also found it beautiful. Michele"
Patty and Morty, you are really incredible! The Santa plate and my violin girl figuring are both whole again, and beautiful. Thank you for your care, amazing response time, and artistic excellence. Ellen
Thanks so very much!! The dish looks amazing thanks to your talented repair. Thanks again for fixing it so quickly!! Happy New Year to you and yours!! Chris
Morty from Lakeside Pottery repaired a small saltbox for me that had strong sentimental value. It had belonged to my parents and had some historical value as it is labelled "Made in Occupied Japan".
The broken off corner piece is now back in place; the paint was perfectly matched. Morty used great care and his considerable skills to restore the box to its former glory. We are completely satisfied with Morty's dedication to his craft and would recommend Lakeside Pottery whole heartedly. Paul and Dorothy
Restoring a lid to a pot. "Hi Patty and Morty, I received the lid and it looks beautiful! I can't thank you enough for doing such a wonderful job. I appreciate your expertise and also your kindness. Thank you so much. Carol"
Restoring Josefina Aguilar Ceramic Sculpture. We recently had two large clay figures repaired at Lakeside Pottery. They were made by the world famous Mexican Folk Artist Josefina Aguilar. The two figures each 30” high were quite heavy and though professionally packed broke in shipment. The repairs required reconstructing complex shapes that had broken off the figures, adhering them to the body, and painting them to match the original colors. In addition a 10” long hairline stress crack up the back of one figure needed to be stabilized. To reconstruct the broken pieces, Lakeside Pottery used both primitive techniques employed by the artist, and cutting edge technology such as high strength adhesives, fiber and fillers. Using only materials that would not damage the art work, they restored the broken pieces so the repairs were stronger than the original clay construction. All the work was done with great care and expertise and when finished the repairs were invisible to the naked eye and touch.
It was a pleasure working with Morty and Patty. From the outset, they explained their process in detail and kept us informed of their progress completing the work on time as promised. If you are looking for a museum-quality ceramic repair shop, Lakeside Pottery can provide that service.
Alan Eliot Goldberg, Architect, and Folk Art Collector
Restoring broken vase. "Dear Patty and Morty - Thank you for the vase - she is absolutely beautiful! Arrived yesterday on my doorstep. What an incredible restoration - unbelievable! I am having a photographer over tomorrow to do a photo shoot for my website and I will include the vase in a vignette on website. Will be sure to send pic your way. Again, heartfelt thank you!!!!"
Restoring Lamp and Jar.Morty, thank you very much for your wonderful work on both items. They arrived yesterday safe and sound, and I thought you would like to see them for yourself. The little lid is back on the jar and reunited with its partner. The lamp looks fabulous. David is thrilled and sends his thanks.
Restoring broken vase. "Wow!!! .... I am excited! Guess what the best part of the pic was? It's what drew me to the vessel to begin with. The claw marks from the reptile crawling up side of it which are still in tact! I love the color the way it is. Shows character. Perfect. Anything without blemishes is not real. Let's just say that your very timely email made me a very happy woman. Therese."
