Total BS: Teapot shards

Subject: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 07:48 AM

Yesterday, New Year's day, I opened a cupboard and out flew my most precious possession: a Wedgewood teapot copied from one made for Charles Wesley, with a prayer on either side, it's a valuable antique and I don't know why it was on that particular shelf or how it got there but now it's in irreperable shards. The sides with the prayers are in big enough pieces ot be able to read most of the words, but the rest is in 1-2 inch pieces..
This teapot belonged to my beloved granny, who died when I was twelve and whom I still miss more than words could tell. She was the anchor for the whole family, Methodist minister's wife and daughter, warm, funny, gracious, kind, good, and my mainstay in childhood. Losing the teapot is like losing one of the last connections I had to her; everytime I made tea in it I thought of her and heard her laugh and felt her arms around me. (Tears streaming down my face as I write this)
Soooo- what to do with the shards? They're in a crystal bowl right now, but there must be some creative thing I can do to make a new thing of beauty out of the old. Anyone know what sorts of things can be made?

And how do I tell my mother....?

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: paddymac
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 07:54 AM

From you description is souns as though you might be able to "reassemble" the pot. It wouldn't be functional, and any heirloom/antique value is gone, but by reassembly you could at least recover its emotional value.

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Jimmy C
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 08:30 AM

There are many glues on the market that can be used for repair, if the main pieces are large enough this would be an option, but as paddymac says it would not be functional,but you would at least have something.

You could also check with a local antique dealer for advice, maybe they could recommend a repair expert ?.

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 08:48 AM

I have seen some family heirlooms broken and people had them made into a vase or bowl. If you know anyone who works with clay or ceramics they might be able to turn the shards into a decorative vase or bowl that you can still display or have practical use of. Hope this advice helps, such a loss is tragic. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Allan C.
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 10:21 AM

Try checking with someone local who works in stained glass. I have seen some beautiful stuff done with broken pieces of tile by one of them. I don't know why the peices you have wouldn't work as well.

P.S. I truly understand your feeling of loss, but know that your granny is still there with you, regardless.

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 10:30 AM

I guess I'm thinking along the same lines as Allan C. and Dave. You may be able to create something else, less useful but still decorative from the pieces. You can make a box collage out of them, you could see about setting them into the sides of a new vessel, or you can pack them carefully away in a pretty box for taking out when you need to feel your granny again. Let them sit in the bowl for a week or so while you grieve and then think about what would be best.

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 11:42 AM

Animaterra--

Think about a small shadowbox, with an attractive velvet background, the most readable of the prayer pieces,and perhaps a small photo of your grandmother. I have a friend whose grandmother was known for her love of quilting and sewing. She did this with her grandma's thimble, some needles, a beautifully stitched quilt piece, and a photo. It is a touching and beautiful momento.

Bill

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 12:07 PM

Dear Animaterra,

Very sorry for the loss of the physical object, but the vibrancy; the sense of intimacy and immediacy you bring to the description of your Grandmother make it clear that she is never further away from you than a single thought; there is clearly a deep connection there that cannot be shattered through any event in the physical realm.

You might consider several ways of preserving the shards...

• Reassemble the two sides of the pot that bear the prayer and mount them together in a shadow-box frame. You'd essentially have two rough, elliptical domes that you could place side by side or one above the other. If you have it, you might incorporate some fabric (a bit of lace, velvet, etc.) that either belonged to your Grandmother or that came from her era, into the composition.
• You might take a curved shard of comfortable size and nicely patterned, file the edges smooth with a diamond file or similar tool and keep it as a "fidget" piece for your pocket or dressing table - a porcelain touchstone, if you will.
• You could edge a suitable shard with the kind of metal foil used in stained-glass work and drill a small hole to fashion a pendant; a way to hold it close to your heart in every sense. (My wife and I also have a collection of small metal boxes, the tops of which are made from beautiful shards of antique oriental vases. A local jeweler or metalworker might be able to design something of the sort for you.)

Others' suggestions in the posts above are equally wonderful, all emphasizing that what has been broken can be transformed.

As for telling your mother, perhaps just telling her the simple truth of what happened, letting your feelings about the loss come through in the telling, is best. Often, incidents like this can serve as openings for everyone involved to remember and honor loved ones who have passed on by sharing heartfelt words and cherished memories.

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 01:20 PM

Dog-gone it, if I lived near your turf, I'd take the pieces and put it back together for you. Believe me, it CAN be done. I've repaired instruments that were mostly splinters. It's a bit time consuming, but definitely possible. Remember that Randy Wood put Bill Monroe's priceless F-5 Mandolin back together again after it had been destroyed by a vandal who used a fire-iron on it.

You might take it to an instrument repair-person. Granted, that seems a weird approach, but they've dealt with tiny pieces before. Good luck.

Rick

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Amergin
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 01:22 PM

Or better yet, just send the pieces to Rick....

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: kendall
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 01:28 PM

There are antique stores that specialize in putting porcelain back together. I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself unless you have infinite patience. My own attempts always end up looking like a Girl Scout project gone bad. A sad loss...but how lucky you are to have memories of your Grandmother to cherish.

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 01:48 PM

Wonderful suggestions for you, Allison. I am sorry for the breakage, but there are opportunities to make some neat things with the remnants.

The other thing you might do is check with someone about having them set in a ceramic tile which could be mounted on the wall. I don't have a kiln at home, but it is something I would try if I did; NOT with your pieces, but just as an art project. I am sure it can be done, though.

I think your mom will understand.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: GUEST,Audi
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 02:37 PM

Oh, Animaterra, my sympathies. It has happened to me, and it is such an unexpected tragedy.

Yes, the advice is correct. I have studied china repair (I collect it and wanted to know how to repair my own pieces) you CAN have it professionally restored so that you will not be able to tell it was damaged. It will not be useable for tea, however.

Another idea, Animaterra, is to go shopping for your beloved granny (and for you). Go to flea markets or to new china shops--whatever works, but go with the intent of buying her a present--a replacement teapot--that she will love. Did you ever get to do that for her? Being twelve when you lose someone is so difficult, because you never really get the pleasure of giving to them--the relationship is usually all receiving. It won't replace the loss, but it will be a gift for both of you that you can love. And, once again, you can enjoy tea with her.

Audi

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 03:01 PM

I am simply stunned by the loving, practical, wonderful suggestions given by all. BillinAla;, at lunch today with a dear friend I came up with the shadowbox idea- the weird thing is, I was thinking aloud about it at just about the same time you were posting this!! (theme from the Twilight Zone drifts by...)
As for restoring the thing, except for those prayer pieces, the shards are so tiny, almost dust, and I'm not much of a believer, but if Rick and you others say it's possible, it must be true...
Mountain Dog, your ideas are wonderful- if I don't go for total repair, I think I'll try your "fidget piece" as well as the shadow boxes. Maybe a few pieces could be a brooch for mom as well.
And Audi, you brought tears back into my eyes again, but not painful ones. What a wonderful idea- go shopping for Granny! She loved pretty china, I still have several precious antique demitasse cups of hers- this may be the final therapy I will need.

Subject: RE: Total BS: Teapot shards
From: Mickey191
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 03:21 PM

About one month ago Oprah Winfrey Had a show in which this very thing was mentioned, a wonderful teapot broken,which had many memories attached. There is a place where the pieces can be sent & examined. They can put things back together which seem impossible, in this particular case it truly was impossible,so the company made a picture frame.The lady was delighted with the end product. If you contact Oprah"s show you might be able to get the address.Good Luck. Slainte