About
ABOUT
Invisible repairs for broken ceramics
I have been restoring damaged or broken ceramics for more than 20 years with many happy customers, both private and trade. Meissen, Lladro, Dutch Delft, Majolica, Art Noveau and Delft tiles, Staffordshire figures and lots more.
I can also work with other materials - find out here
About me
My name is Hugo Nieuwenhuizen, I work from home which is in St. Arvans, near Chepstow, Monmouthshire in South Wales.
What does a repair entail?
It starts with the cleaning of the piece in order to get rid of any dirt for the glue and paint to hold. It is also necessary to do this to be able to see the original colour when colour matching.
Next is bonding the piece back together using a variety of different glues whenever necessary. (Depending on the type of material different bonding materials can be used). This also counts for filling in of missing parts. (Depending on the type of ceramic, different materials will be used). I can reproduce missing fingers, instruments etc.
Then painting/colour matching the repaired part(s) so it blends in with the rest of the piece. This can be done by hand or with an air brush.
Varnishing the repair in the appropriate style (gloss, medium, matt), Finally, applying any missing gilding if necessary.
After conservation or restoration, items should be used for display purposes only and kept away from extreme sunlight and heat.
Why I became a restorer?
I am Dutch from origin and lived for 12 years in Amsterdam. When I was young I often used to find clay pipe bowls and started to collect them. Later when this was all forgotten, I saw a building pit with lots of shards, clay pipe bits and lots more.
The interest returned to me and whenever possible went digging in old waste layers. It wasn't archaeology but more like treasure hunting and very exciting. Dutch delft tiles, old bottles, pots etc. But most of it broken!
I even was on the Antiques Roadshow in Bristol with a very old Dutch Majolica plate I dug up in Amsterdam in pieces. A restorer in Holland repaired it for me. Impressed with his work and always trying to put things together myself, I decided to learn the trade myself.
Where I Learnt
At Urchfont Manor, Devices, a beautiful and lovely manor where you can take a variety of courses. I did a 2-year part-time course from 1996-1998.
Taught by a tutor who worked for the British Museum in London I passed with distinction and gained my diploma. The diploma is accredited by West Dean College to which my examiner was attached.
Being taught by a tutor from the British Museum meant that the way I was taught had a large part of "conservation" in it. Conservation meaning to preserve a piece for future damage in contrast to restoration, which is putting the piece together in its original state without seeing the repair. It also means I don't re-fire a piece which makes the repair irreversible.
What my clients say
"Hugo did an excellent job on a smashed plate belonging to my grandfather. No cracks to be seen.”
Gwydion
“We bought a Tower of London Poppy as a gift for a very special person and wonderful mother. It was unfortunately smashed and damaged we thought, beyond repair. I got in contact with Hugo and asked about restoration. To my surprise he gave a positive response and for what is a very small price to pay for such a special possession we now have it back in all it’s glory and sentimentality. Priceless!
Thank you Hugo!”
Simon