A fine quality Chinese export Mandarin porcelain bowl, featuring a stunning staple repair.
Why we like it
While of good size and beautifully decorated, it is the staple repairs that makes this bowl exceptional: the refinement of the original piece and the gross, crude repairs make a stunning contrast.
Once regarded merely as damaged goods by antiques dealers and collectors alike, staple-repaired porcelain is very rare and is now justly receiving the respect it deserves.
Staple or rivet repair was a common way to mend expensive or treasured broken ceramics in the 18th and 19th centuries. China was a highly prized commodity, and households could not afford to throw broken pieces away, especially such exotic and expensive items as this bowl.
18th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Bowl with Old Riveted Repairs
Height: 5 in / 13 cm
Diameter: 11 in / 28 cm
