Hello Everyone,
I would like to ask you if is it better to fix the pottery/ceramic items /cracks, missing colour, etc./ if you want to sell it or is it better to leave the item as it is and leave decision on the buyer. My point is, where the profit should be higher in general?
a) crack + fix = higher price
b) cracked = lower price, but no fix
Thank you.
Dear Martha,
As you can see, I am a new boy here and I was browsing a little bit more.
You are more than 7 yrs here and I see a lot of answers from you.
I am writing in the Response window now, no in Comment one 🙂 (I learn, step-by-step)
May I ask you, what are you exactly doing here?
Are you a Kovels-help/support-member, or an Antique expert, or a Volunteer helper to the lost souls in Antique World ….???
Please, let me explain my interest.
I have bought some things already and I will buy more. My main focus is for collecting but I love the excitement of Bargain Hunters too. And I would welcome a friend in my Antique World ….
Only thing is, I don’t feel comfortable to show publicly what I love to buy, collect or sell. I wouldn’t like to load up my pictures here …. it is kind of my privacy.
I would love to share my antique adventures with you but in some private environment, if possible. If you, however, have some commitments to this site, I understand. If not, do you have any website or blog where I could reach you?
Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Pavol
Yes you got the name right !!
A very wise decision,, Just got through looking at what is selling in the UK and Royal Doulton/Slater is quite reasonable !! I especially like the teapots !! Vases to me are a bit boring,, but the teapots are quite interesting !! Just post a pic or two here on the damaged items and let me take a look before you get too discouraged !!
Well,, You are thinking in the right direction !! Antique values can change rapidly so you have to know your market !! Lets say you were looking at art pottery to both sell and collect,, maybe you like Roseville pottery !! The first thing you need to do is to check ebay sold prices and see what people are actually paying !! Its only worth what someone is willing to pay !! Learn which pieces and types are hard to find and would therefore bring a fair profit !! Study colors and styles that are selling best !! Then gear your buying toward those types !!
And remember,, age does not translate into value !! It can be old as the hills but if no one wants it ,,, You lose !!
And I would be happy to help you get started !!
If you are repairing for yourself,, by all means go ahead !! I have done the same !! If you do ever decide to sell it Just explain to the buyers and let it bring what it will !!
I usually either give mine away or donate to thrift store !!
A cracked vase or pottery can be touched up for your own use with some acrylic paint !! Clear nail polish over the paint restores the shine if its a glazed one !! There are a few other tips if you need them !
Thank you. Would you like to be my personal Antique assistant? I think I need one :-)))
I am only starting my collection carrier and this restoration thing came up to me as a “big problem”.
I mean, if an artist created something and the thing was travelling more than 100 yrs around the world, has got some punches, the four basic elements made their touch on it, however the thing look like – it is a genuine piece of art ‘as-is’, untouched artistically by other human hand.
If something is restored, in my eyes it is not an honest, genuine piece of art – it is a mix of an old master and the recent restorer. /I am a black and white person, grey doesn’t work for me :-)/
I think, the ‘put broken elements together’ I could accept. It is nicer to have in collection let say a complete glued vase than four pieces of it laying on the table. But, if a vase has only some cracks or missing colour, but it is still a complete shape of the vase – in my opinion, it shouldn’t be touched. No additional clay, no extra colour – no mix of more artists.
This is my feel for art, my opinion but there is a world of Antiques – collectors, appraisers, dealers, experts, etc. and in this Antique world the values can be different than my personal look at Antique collecting. It is why I call it a ‘big problem’, I have to learn how the Antiques Value works.
Best thing if you are going for resale is to buy the items that are not damaged !!
You can get a lot of money tied up in damaged items that may or may not sell !! And the profit margin is so low it would not be in your best in interest !!
Fewer items, higher quality= more profit !! Study the sales on ebay to see what people are buying and what they are paying !! Not starting prices,, but sold prices !! Look on the left side of the ebay page,, you should see sold and completed prices in the far left column !! That will tell you what is actually paid for the items !! If it doesn`t show click on refinments at the top !! I think it says Refine List or something similar !! Then click on sold items !! Gives actual prices paid !!
Thank you for advice.
I am 95% collector and focused exactly on what you write – rather I would like to have a few beautiful items in mint condition than huge mix of cheap and damaged crap. Just sometimes you see damaged thing which fit exactly into your style. Then, maybe one day you would like to sell something and replace it with something what would fit more into your collection and it will be the cracked one. It is what was my question about in general – how to handle / manage damaged or fixed Antique items.
I appreciate your time and help.
Thank you, Martha /I hope, I have figured out your name properly 🙂 /
I am based in Ireland and as I wrote, I am starting my collection now. I am focused on England pottery manufacturers at the moment. I like Royal Doulton Slater style and have bought a couple of vases already. It is what I collect. They are in good condition but I have bought a few things in thrift stores and charity shops and there are some cracks and missing colour issues. It is why I have started this discussion – I am not sure if I should fix it or leave it as it is if I would like to sell it.
I think, it would be wise to follow your advice for resale – leave it as-is.
Regards,
Pavol