Ceramic Nativity Restoration Commission: A Great Challenge but Hopefully a Rewarding Journey

Some projects come easy, while others truly test your patience, skill, and determination. This ceramic nativity restoration commission is definitely one of the latter.

Alongside my recent 1:1 replica of the Sleepy Hollow Headless Horseman Sword, I was approached with a commission unlike any other—a request to restore a one-meter-long ceramic Nativity sculpture that had suffered severe damage. At first, I was hesitant. Restoring ceramics is an entirely different challenge compared to painting miniatures or even working on 3D printed models. However, after seeing how much this piece meant to its owner, I decided to take on the challenge.

This article is just the introduction to the journey ahead. I’ll walk you through my first impressions, the major obstacles, and why I ultimately chose to accept this restoration commission. I won’t be covering solutions here—that will come in future updates as I work through the restoration process.

If you’re passionate about miniature painting, restoration, or custom commissions, be sure to follow along. And don’t forget that you can explore fully painted models and exclusive merch at DressArt3D.com to support more projects like this!

First Impressions – A Tough Restoration Commission Ahead

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A Commission That Almost Didn’t Happen

When I first saw photos of the Nativity sculpture, I wasn’t sure I wanted to take this on. I have restored ceramics before, and from experience, I know that these materials are extremely difficult to repair. Unlike resin or plastic models, ceramic is fragile, smooth, and glossy—making repairs very hard to conceal, glue securely, or repaint seamlessly.

Still, the owner was adamant that I see it in person before making a final decision. When I did, my initial hesitation only grew stronger.

Assessing the Damage – A Nearly Shattered Piece

A Massive Crack Holding on by a Miracle

The first thing that caught my eye was a deep structural crack running in circle all the way through the piece. It’s honestly a miracle that it hadn’t completely fallen apart. The only thing holding it together was the surrounding frame, which had somehow survived the impact.

A Missing Section of the Frame

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One-third of the left frame was completely missing, shattered beyond recovery. This meant I wouldn’t just be repairing the sculpture—I would have to rebuild an entire section from scratch.

Deep Holes and Chipped Areas

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On closer inspection, I found multiple deep holes, missing chunks, and chipped details all over the sculpture. The damage wasn’t just on the surface; the intricate sculpting had been badly affected, making it impossible to simply glue the pieces back together and call it a day.

Why Restoring a Ceramic Commission is So Difficult

Gluing and Reinforcing – A Difficult Bond

Unlike resin or plastic, ceramic is incredibly difficult to glue back together securely. Even high-quality adhesives can fail to create a strong bond. Besides, in this particular case the crack has formed from one side to the other of the piece but as I said before the piece held together thanks to the thick frame.  This meant that I will not be able to apply glue on the inner sections of the crack.  I will only be able to apply glue on the surface only.  I will have to find a way to ensure that the pieces stick strongly together without breaking the Nativity in the pieces which would form due to the crack running all along the piece.  Ensuring that this commission holds together long-term will be one of the biggest challenges.

Concealing Cracks – A Delicate Process

Even if I manage to glue the sculpture properly, hiding the cracks is a whole other issue. Ceramic has a smooth, glossy surface, which means any repair work will be highly visible unless blended perfectly.

Matching the Paint – A Near-Impossible Task

Painting over ceramic is one of the hardest parts of any restoration project.

• Glossy ceramic doesn’t hold paint well, making adhesion tricky.
• Matching the exact color and texture is nearly impossible, as ceramic has a unique finish.
• Blending new paint with old sections is a challenge, since older ceramic develops a natural patina over time.

I knew from the start that achieving a perfect restoration was unrealistic, but my goal is to bring this piece back to a respectable, display-worthy condition.

Why I Took the Commission Anyway

The Owner’s Passion for the Piece

Despite my initial refusal, the owner was determined to have it restored. He understood that the final result might not be perfect, but he was more interested in saving the sculpture than letting it deteriorate further.

A New Challenge to Test My Commission Skills

Even though I’ve worked on many restoration projects, this one presents unique difficulties that will push my problem-solving abilities. It’s easy to stick to projects you’re comfortable with, but true growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.

What Comes Next? Follow the Journey!

This is just the beginning of the ceramic nativity restoration commission. In the coming weeks, I’ll be documenting each step of the restoration process, sharing my techniques, challenges, and (hopefully) successes.

If you’re interested in miniature painting, restoration, or custom commissions, be sure to follow along.

And if you’d like to support future projects like this, check out our store at DressArt3D.com, where you can find:

✅ Professionally painted miniatures for tabletop gaming
✅ Unique print-on-demand t-shirts, mugs, and merch
✅ Custom commission options for one-of-a-kind creations

Every purchase helps keep projects like this alive—so let’s bring more amazing works back to life together!

Final Thoughts – A Journey Worth Taking?

Restoring this one-meter-long ceramic Nativity sculpture will be one of the hardest projects I’ve ever attempted. The deep cracks, missing frame sections, and fragile material make this a serious challenge.

Can I successfully repair it? I honestly don’t know. But I’m ready to give it my best shot.

If you love restoration projects, stay tuned for updates—and let’s see if I can bring this beloved piece back to life!

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Thanks with a Gift!

Thanks for sticking with this long read.  If you managed to arrive to this point I sincerely think that you found this reading an interesting one and I really appreciate it.  As a small token for your interest, may I remind you that if you simply create an account with our online show you will be instantly given a one time, no expiry 10% Discount Coupon.  You will be able to find it in the coupon section of the My Account Section in the links section above.

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