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Ceramics/gold leaf on vintage ceramics

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Expert: Leisha Hiester - 8/15/2010


Question

DeForest kissing fishi
The gold has worn off my vintage (1950's) ceramic wall plaques.  How do I apply
new gold?  What products do I need?  The gold is completely off my girl fish and
spotty on the boy fish.  The picture is from an informational website. My set is
the same except, as I said, my gold is worn off.

Answer
Dear Gerry,

Are you sure they are ceramic? They may be chalkware, which some are highly collectible. In that case, you may not want to do anything to them. Generally, collectibles are more valuable in their original state, unless professionally restored. Often people devalue pieces by trying to fix them up.

If you scratch the back of the pieces with your finger nail does a bit scrape off? Or is it very hard like ceramic similar to your dishes? That would be a very simple test to determine wether they're chalkware or not.

I'm not an antiques/collector expert. Perhaps you should have them looked at by someone in this area. Is there a small antiques shop in your town?

If you still wish to apply gold, wether they are chalkware or ceramic would determine the product you use.  Hope this helps. Feel free to write again.

Leisha

Leisha Hiester

Expertise

Inquiries about ceramics, pottery, clay and art in general.

Experience

21 years in ceramics and clay, teaching, producing and selling.

Education/Credentials
College, courses, teacher and worked in production studios.

Past/Present Clients
Private collections

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