Expert: Leisha Hiester - 1/8/2010

Question
Hello!

Here’s my situation: I inherited a lamp that has a hand-made glazed unfired base (greenware?). The base is extremely intricate, with 20 small hand-made figures and other decorations like railings, windows, etc. It was made (I think) in Mexico and is in the shape of a tall church. The base has a couple of vertical cracks and one small piece had been broken off of the top during transition. I believe the only ‘curing’ has been natural drying.

As this appears to be an air-dried piece (and old-ish) it gives me the sense that it fragile in its current state.

I’d like to add strength, not only to the 2-3 vertical exterior cracks but the entire interior of the lamp and then re-mount it on the base once we’ve located a permanent and safe location. My thought was that either a glue or light epoxy ‘membrane’ might provide structural strength – from the inside out, so to speak. I am initially leaning towards something like a water based white glue which would adhere to the clay, dry clearly, provide a small amount of flexibility as humidity rises and falls, etc.

Fortunately I can reach the entire interior from the open base, which has a rectangular opening of approximately 2.25 x 5.0 inches. I was thinking I’d get some of those long swabs one sees at a doctor’s office and that would allow me the ability to reach the upper interior of the piece with just enough glue as to moisten the surface (first pass) and then apply additional layers later.

Am I heading in the correct direction or would you have any suggestions?

Thank you for your time!  

Answer
Dear Doug,
I apologize for taking so long to answer, I have been battling the flu.

If your piece is actually unfired greenware, over time it will break down. Why not take it to a local ceramicist? There are products that can be used to strengthen the cracks and then fire the piece. That way it will be permanent.

If you'd like to do it yourself they can guide you through the process.

Let me know what you decide to do and I'll try to help further.

Leisha