Featured A tricky repair on 17th century Limoges enamel on copper.

A 90 years old friend of mine showed me this magnificent enamel plaque she inherited from an aunt decades ago.

Knowing nothing about it, but loving it so much she had it hung above her bed since.

She asked me if I should be able to do something to repair the broken part...

I told her it was much older than she thought, not 19th souvenir piece but 17th century!

20cm high

After telling her my repairs weren't professional and could ruin it, as she was really willing I have a try, I had to think how to complete the support to apply my usual polymer clay as a base for the decor...

I ordered a 0.5mm copper sheet from China, cut it and shaped it convex, then glued it (impossible to solder on the enameled back of the piece!!!) on the damaged plaque with the JudiKins diamond glaze.

I didn't know how it would react to the baking of the polymer clay at 110 Celcius degrees for 25 minutes...

I completed the enamel layer with polymer clay, and finger crossed baked the whole thing...

The glued copper sheet resisted the heat, the polymer clay wasn't over baked and still white

I matched colors to the decor with my usual mix of watercolor pencils and permanent markers, then finished with a diamond glaze coat. (Tricky part, diamond glaze is water based...)

3 hours work achieved with a huge relief sigh!

My friend and I agreed to leave the other damages (upper part) untouched.

Just gave it back to her, she was amazed and truly delighted with the result

 

You are a brave woman, kyra. But a very beautiful result, and even more important, you've made an old lady very happy. What a beautiful piece to have above you bed.

 

Very nice restoration! And I agree you are indeed brave.

 

Well done you.

 

+1

 

You ARE a professional!

 

Very nice result!

 

Awww, AJ, my friend's happiness was the most heartwarming
For the braveness.... Happily nobody was harmed during the process

 

So kind comments of you all!
But I prefer to name my repairs "kyratisations", as I use stuff professional restorers surely don't, even if I mainly try it could be removed

 

You use your own ideas and the results are outstanding.

You should patent the name.....kyratisations

 

Hi,
Really really really nice job! The patience to do work like that is what I miss the most. The most I do now is patching up old plaster saints for family. Infill painting is so time consuming. My eyes are getting old but I try.
greg

 

That is a gorgeous restoration and took a steady hand!!

 

EXCELLENT JOB!!!

 

Very nice job on that stunning piece!!!

 

Wow, excellent repair!

 

Wow! I am humbled by your talent.

 

Brave, courageous AND talented!!!! There is NO DOUBT that you ARE PROFESSIONAL!!!!!! WONDERFUL restoration, Kyra!!!!

 

you don't get paid enough !!!
but if payment is respect.............then chest thumping RESPECT !!!!!!!

 

I think if I had to repair something like this, I would use plaster (and probably ruin the item).
You painted over the repair so well. That's a dignified repair.

 

Yes, a steady hand and a love for the object in hand .. Beautiful work Kyra !!! .. Joy.