Restoration Commission: Rebuilding the Frame of a Ceramic Nativity Icon

Some restoration projects are straightforward, while others challenge your skills, patience, and creativity to the limit. This Restoration Commission is definitely one of the most demanding I’ve taken on.

After successfully stabilizing the deep structural crack in the ceramic Nativity icon, I moved on to the next major challenge—rebuilding the missing frame. One-third of the left frame was completely destroyed, leaving a massive gap that had to be carefully reconstructed.

Unlike working with 3D-printed models or resin miniatures, restoring ceramic pieces presents unique challenges. Materials need to adhere properly, sculpt accurately, dry rock-hard, and be sandable to match the smooth, glossy finish of the original sculpture.

This article walks you through my experience with this phase of the Restoration Commission, from creating a support structure to shaping the missing frame with modeling clay. If you love miniature painting, custom commissions, or challenging restoration projects, follow along! And if you want to support more projects like this, check out DressArt3D.com for fully painted miniatures, exclusive merch, and commissions.

Assessing the Damage – A Missing Piece of History

Why This Frame Needed to Be Rebuilt

When I first examined the ceramic Nativity icon, the missing frame section stood out immediately. Without it, the piece looked incomplete, and structurally, it needed reinforcement to ensure the sculpture wouldn’t weaken over time.

Restoring this part wasn’t just about making the icon look whole again—it was about providing long-term stability. But the challenge was clear: ceramic is notoriously difficult to repair and reconstruct, and the frame had to match the original as closely as possible.

Choosing the Right Materials for the Restoration Commission

To properly rebuild the frame, I needed a material that could:
✔ Attach securely to the ceramic surface.
✔ Be sculpted into the correct shape.
✔ Dry rock-hard like ceramic.
✔ Be sandable to match the smooth finish of the original piece.

After considering several options, I decided to go with modeling clay, which I had successfully used in past restoration projects. It had the right consistency for sculpting and, once fully hardened, could be sanded to a near-perfect finish.

Building a Strong Support Structure

Creating a Wire Framework for Stability

Before I could apply the modeling clay, I needed to create a sturdy support structure to hold it in place. Without a strong foundation, the clay could crack or shift, ruining the restoration.

1️⃣ First, I drilled small holes into the edges of the broken frame to serve as anchor points.
2️⃣ Next, I took a thick binding wire and bent it carefully to follow the missing frame’s original curve.
3️⃣ I inserted the wire into the drilled holes and secured it with super glue, ensuring it wouldn’t move.

Reconstructing-a-Ceramic-Icon-Frame-@-dressart3d.com

Reinforcing the Structure

Even after securing the wire, I noticed it had a slight wobble, which would have made sculpting difficult. To strengthen it:

✔ I drilled two additional holes on the sides of the frame and inserted thinner wires, wrapping them around the main support.
✔ I applied super glue over the entire wire framework to create a solid, bonded structure.
✔ Once the glue dried, I tested the support by applying pressure—it was now rock solid.

Sculpting the Missing Frame with Modeling Clay

Applying the Clay to the Support Structure

With the framework in place, I was ready to apply the modeling clay. To ensure a strong bond between the clay and the ceramic surface:

🔹 I rolled the clay into an even cylindrical shape to match the missing frame’s dimensions.
🔹 I coated the wire framework and ceramic edges with super glue to improve adhesion.
🔹 I pressed the clay onto the frame, molding it carefully to align with the existing curvature.

Reconstructing-a-Ceramic-Icon-Frame-@-dressart3d.com

Shaping and Refining the Frame

Sculpting the clay to perfectly match the existing frame took time. It had to be:
✔ The right thickness—too thick, and it wouldn’t blend seamlessly.
✔ Properly curved—the frame had a slight arch that had to be replicated.
✔ Flat at the base—the bottom needed to align perfectly with the original icon.

After two hours of careful sculpting, I had the basic shape in place. Now, it was time to let the clay harden.

Reconstructing-a-Ceramic-Icon-Frame-@-dressart3d.com

Drying and Hardening the Clay

Since the clay I used air-hardens, I let it dry in direct sunlight for 48 hours. However, to ensure complete solidity, I also:

✔ Used a heat gun to speed up the curing process.
✔ Checked for any weak points and reinforced them with extra layers of clay.

Once the clay was rock-hard, I tested the strength of the frame—it held up perfectly.

Sanding and Refining for a Seamless Finish

First Pass of Rough Sanding

Now that the frame was solid, it was time to smooth out imperfections. Using fine sandpaper:

🔹 I carefully sanded down rough edges to blend the clay with the existing ceramic.
🔹 I refined the curves to match the original frame’s design.
🔹 I made sure the bottom edge was flush with the base of the sculpture.

Filling Imperfections with Car Putty

Even after sanding, there were small bumps and tiny holes that needed smoothing. To fix this, I:

✔ Applied car putty over the entire new frame section.
✔ Let it dry, then sanded it again for a flawless, ceramic-like finish.

Reconstructing-a-Ceramic-Icon-Frame-@-dressart3d.com

The Final Detailing Process

The next phase of this Restoration Commission involved:

🔹 Fine sanding of intricate details, especially the inner decorative arches.  These took a lot of time but thank to a protable router and the right sanding bit I could remove a lot of the access material then fine sad the arched by hand.
🔹 Blending the restored frame with the rest of the icon for a seamless look.
🔹 Preparing the surface for painting and final touches.

All these steps required a steady hand, patience, and precision.

Support More Restoration Commissions at DressArt3D!

Restoration projects like this take time, skill, and dedication. If you enjoy following these projects and want to help support future restorations, consider checking out DressArt3D.com.

✅ Professionally painted miniatures for tabletop gaming.
✅ Exclusive print-on-demand merch like t-shirts and mugs.
✅ Custom commission services for unique projects.

Every purchase helps fund bigger and better restoration projects—so let’s keep bringing amazing works back to life together!

Final Thoughts – Will This Restoration Succeed?

Rebuilding the missing frame of the ceramic Nativity icon was a major milestone, but there’s still a long way to go.

This Restoration Commission has been one of the most challenging projects I’ve worked on, but the progress so far gives me hope. Can I successfully restore this Nativity to its former glory? Follow along to find out!

➡️ Stay tuned for the final detailing process—and don’t forget to visit DressArt3D.com to support more restoration commissions! 🎨✨

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