Shattered - Piecing Together Broken Pottery

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Perilously perched atop a bookshelf, patiently awaiting a pirouette to the parquet, this earthenware pottery was a beloved possession of its owner and prays to once again be the prize of their eye. While I don't work with many ceramics, occasionally one comes along that temps me; the novelty of the new, the challenge of the task and the pleading of a good client all conspire to have me saying yes.
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[DavidHowe]

Love that the client vacuumed up and provided all the dust and small particles. Now that's optimism!!

[carlawiberg]

Having worked on archaeological sites, I can say that nothing compares to the satisfaction when two pottery shards come together in that incontrovertible perfect fit...!

[SKY]

every time you go in with the colour, I'm like.. "oh, that's waaAAaay off!!" 2 minutes later.. "WHAT SORCERY IS THIS!?!?!" every. single. time. 😝

[oliviameoni]

as an archaeologist, i love seeing an art conservator’s approach to vesselization. it is my favorite activity in the lab. I am extremely jealous, however, that there is a 100% complete piece at the end. if only it was like this with excavated assemblages!

[PLuMUK]

I am fairly certain that I would happily sit and listen to Julian reading the ingredients off the packets in my food cupboard.

[ingridseim]

I'm watching this, envisioning what made that beautiful bowl swan-dive from the top of that bookcase, and the following came to mind: "If the world were actually flat, cats would have pushed everything over the edge by now."

[metathetrashcan]

As a ceramicist I really hope one day someone loves my work enough to send it in for restoration.

[arwen_candl]

"This is a technique that is used *long pause* *mouse click* paleontologists and archeologists..." THE WAY I CACKLED @ 9:30 AT THE SILENCE THEN JUST A MOUSE CLICK I—

[d.j.vanderschoot]

I think one of the attractive features of this channel is being able to watch Julian in the battle against entropy. Every time he puts something right that was wrong. Like a police sitcom where they always get their guy, you know that at the end of the video there is always a satisfying outcome.

[stephensteele]

I had a good family friend growing up who attempted to be a pottery and ceramic artist when he was young, but fell into restoration. He ended up making a career of it. He worked on national treasures, artist masterpieces, and archeologically important pieces. He was the kind of guy who you went to after others said it was impossible.

One of my favorite experiences as a child was going to his studio, low lit, with his workbench lit with his work lights, and on his black velvet lined work bench as a set of fine china. Pieces large as a plate, down to a pin head. All kind up by size, and color. All in various states.

Turns out it was one of the founding father's China that had been destroyed during the war of 1812, that had been hidden and buried along with other items. Then forgotten to be buried and crushed.

I saw his work in the Smithsonian National History Museum after he had died many years later. It was the same piece. I mentioned to one of the docents that I knew who had restored it when he asked me to back away. And that he was a close family friend.

He went and grabbed one of the staff to introduce me. They were so gracious, asked me questions, and to detailed notes.

He said, pottery restoration is a mix of artistry, chemistry, and engineering... And all insanity. On non -historical pieces you could do what you did here. Go down to the smallest pieces that made sense. But on historically or archaeologically important pieces, you had to attempt to account for everything.

[floriangadsby]

I should send you one of my broken pots that I can't bring myself to throw away!

[lucasf.]

This vase was created by the Italian ceramicist Aldo Londi (1911-2003), renowned for his mid-century designs. These pieces can fetch up to $10, 000 at auction.

[ChrisAdami]

What elevates this man's craft from workmanship to genius is his color matching skills. What he is able to achieve borders on sorcery.

[XYGSteve]

This is how I feel when I'm down in my little workshop closet, wearing readers, CA glue in hand, putting my 6 year old's toy back together or reassembling the ceramic magnet that was launched from the fridge door. I mean, it's exactly the same, just like when I yell at a quarterback for not throwing a pass that I would've (in Madden).

Great work as always.

[yemrot]

I wish I could've seen the owners faces when they got their vase back. They must've been over the moon to see it restored!

[finmat]

17:54 "You know, it's MY job. I chose to do this so complaining is NOT in the cards." - what a very mature and adult statement.

[carlottath]

One of my favorite youtube videos was a series where a museum fixes a glass vase (including casting missing pieces). It's fascinating to see broken things put back together!

[karlitoradskunk]

Glad you got it fixed before Mom and Dad got home! 😅
Beautiful work as always.

[mazomaiden]

This must have sentimental value to pay to restore it. It looks like a high school potty project. You did a great job.

[kaygee]

Thanks for letting everyone watch you work. It must be especially gratifying for the clients to see how you do your restorations and repairs on their beloved pieces.