French vintage tableware is often decorated with a beautiful gold rim.
Over time, the gilding may gradually wear away. It can also be damaged when a plate is accidentally placed in a microwave. Has that ever happened to you?
That is exactly what happened in our home recently. While I was away, one of my children accidentally put a gold-rimmed plate in the microwave.
When I returned, the beautiful gold border had turned black. The plate looked truly ruined.
This is exactly the kind of situation in which urushi lacquer techniques can be useful.
When people think of kintsugi, they often imagine a technique used only to join broken pieces or repair chips in ceramics.
In fact, the possibilities of urushi lacquer are much broader. It can also be used to repair damaged areas, paint decorative motifs and create designs with metallic powders.
Maki-e and kintsugi are both traditional Japanese crafts that use urushi lacquer. Kintsugi is therefore only one of the many techniques that can be created with lacquer.
Now, let us return to the restoration of the plate.
I repaired the blackened rim using genuine urushi lacquer and brass powder.
First, I gradually removed the damaged gilding with very fine sandpaper.
It is important not to use sandpaper that is too coarse, as it could scratch not only the gilding but also the surface of the plate. This step therefore requires great care.
Once the surface had been prepared, I painted a fine line along the original rim with e-urushi and then sprinkled brass powder over it.
I tried to blend the restored area as naturally as possible with the colour and atmosphere of the original gilding.
When viewed closely, the restored section can still be identified. However, once the plate is placed on the table, the repair is barely noticeable.
I fell in love with this plate at a Paris flea market last summer and brought it home with me.
Its rose pattern is beautiful. Simply placing it on the table makes even an ordinary meal feel a little more elegant.
When an object is broken or damaged, it is not always necessary to part with it immediately. Sometimes it can be repaired and enjoyed for many more years.
Because this plate is precious to me, I hope it will remain part of our everyday life for a long time to come.
Comments