Restoration Crafts
Chinese material culture developed sophisticated repair traditions that treated damage as opportunity for enhanced beauty. Rather than hiding repairs, techniques like porcelain stapling and gold repair made them visible features.
Porcelain Stapling
Porcelain stapling repairs cracks by drilling holes and inserting metal staples. The technique requires precise drilling to avoid shattering the piece. Staples are shaped to follow crack lines, becoming decorative elements.
Gold Repair
Gold repair fills cracks with lacquer mixed with gold powder, following Japanese kintsugi traditions. The technique emphasizes rather than conceals damage, creating beauty from breakage. The philosophy values history and imperfection.
Other Restoration
Lacquerware restoration rebuilds damaged surfaces with new lacquer layers. Furniture repair uses traditional joinery and materials. Bronze conservation stabilizes corrosion while preserving archaeological evidence.