Restoration Commission: Ceramic Vase First Inspection & Plan of Action
Some projects whisper for your attention. Others demand it. When Steve P., the same Maltese client who previously trusted me with restoring his beloved ceramic Nativity icon, came back with a second restoration commission, I couldn’t help but feel both honored… and slightly terrified.
This time, it wasn’t a religious statue. It was something entirely different—a stunning green ceramic vase saved from a private collection once housed in the historic Villa Bronja. At first glance, the vase was charming. But like with all restoration work, the devil’s in the details.
Let me walk you through the first stage of this journey—from initial inspection to the plan of action—and hopefully share a bit of insight into what it takes to bring forgotten treasures back to life.
The Restoration Commission Begins – A Green Giant with Hidden Challenges
When Steve showed me the vase, I knew right away this was no ordinary restoration. Structurally, it was intact—no major cracks or splits—but the damage was definitely there.
What’s Wrong with the Vase?
- Five petals completely broken off, with no way to retrieve the original fragments.
- Several other petals damaged, chipped, or worn down from age or handling.
While it might not sound too bad, trust me—it’s never as easy as it looks.
The vase is composed entirely of layered ceramic “leaves” or petals. Its surface is a beautiful, watercolor-style blend of deep green fading into lighter tones—almost mimicking the natural shade variation of a real plant. That kind of detail is not easy to replicate.
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The Honest Doubt That Comes with Every Restoration Commission
Even after 35+ years of miniature painting and restoration, I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure I could pull it off.
I told Steve as much. Ceramics are finicky. You don’t get second chances if something breaks during repair. But just like with the Nativity icon, Steve trusted me—and I wasn’t about to back down from a challenge.
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Step One: Planning the Restoration Commission Properly
You might think this is just a matter of gluing some parts back on and painting over them. But no. Here’s the reality of what needs to happen.
Drilling and Pinning – Securing the Sculpted Parts
The first thing I’ll need to do is drill small holes into the vase to insert metal pins that will hold the sculpted replacement petals. This is absolutely critical to making the sculpted pieces hold well and thus restoration stable long-term.
But here’s the tricky bit: drilling into ceramics is extremely risky. Fists of all ceramics are extremely hard to drill requiring a carabide drill bit. Also, too much pressure and vibration and the entire vase could crack. It takes a steady hand, the right drill bits, and a whole lot of patience.
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Sculpting New Petals from Scratch
Once the pins are in, I’ll sculpt the missing petals using clay. My experience sculpting miniatures over the years really helps here—especially when trying to mimic the flow and curvature of organic forms.
The goal? To make the new petals blend in seamlessly, like they were always part of the vase.
Repairing the Damaged Petals and Surface
Beyond the missing pieces, the damaged petals need attention too. I’ll fill the chips, sand everything smooth, and prepare the surface for the next stage: painting.
This part is tedious but absolutely necessary. A poorly blended repair will stand out like a sore thumb once the paint goes on.
Painting: The Most Daunting Part of This Restoration Commission
Now, we get to the part that’s been keeping me up at night.
Matching the Vase’s Original Color and Glaze
The vase features a green that subtly fades from dark to light—almost like it was watercolored on, not painted. Achieving that same level of transparency and flow with modern acrylics or ceramic-compatible paints is incredibly difficult.
I’ll have to custom mix the colors and experiment with application methods—possibly using glazes, washes, or even airbrushing techniques I’ve picked up over decades of miniature painting.
And then there’s the shine.
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Recreating the Glossy Finish of Fired Ceramic
Once the repairs are painted, I’ll need to match the vase’s original glossy finish. Here’s the plan:
- Apply two layers of clear matte spray to seal the paint job.
- After waiting 24 hours, apply a hand-brushed gloss varnish over the painted areas, making sure the coverage is even and consistent.
This slow build-up of gloss will help match the original ceramic sheen while protecting the paint long-term.
Why Restoration Commissions Like This Matter
There’s something deeply satisfying about restoring an old piece that would otherwise be forgotten. Every crack, every chip tells a story. And bringing something like this back to life feels like you’re preserving a little piece of history.
For me, this isn’t just about the end result—it’s about the journey. The process. The care. The craftsmanship.
If you love seeing behind-the-scenes of projects like this, follow along—because this is just the beginning.
Want a Masterpiece Without Doing the Work?
Not everyone has the time, tools, or years of practice to pull off a restoration or paint a complex miniature. That’s totally fine.
At dressart3D.com – Unique 3D Printed Painted Miniatures & Merch, we offer:
- Fully painted, one-of-a-kind miniatures
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Every purchase helps us keep creating more epic projects like this one. So if you want something stunning for your collection—or to wow your gaming group—head over to dressart3D.com and check out what we’ve got.
Final Thoughts: Will This Restoration Commission Succeed?
Honestly? I don’t know yet.
This vase is going to push every skill I’ve developed over the last three decades. But that’s the beauty of it. Art—and especially restoration—isn’t about perfection. It’s about passion, persistence, and respect for the object in front of you.
I hope you’ll stick around to see how this story unfolds.
And if you’ve ever thought about commissioning a restoration—or want a pro-painted miniature that’s ready to hit the tabletop—reach out. I’d love to help.
You can always contact me through dressart3D.com – Unique 3D Printed Painted Miniatures & Merch or shoot an email to contact@dressart3d.com.
Until next time—keep creating, keep collecting, and keep supporting the art that makes your world a little more epic.
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