Featured Interesting repairs, clever fixes and repurposing

I got to thinking that there are some interesting repairs, fixes and re-uses done by people in the past as well as in the present. I thought it might be fun to see what people have done and are doing. I'm sure everyone has some ideas and examples. I'm not very clever myself but love what other's do.

These are some of mine from the 17th-19th Centuries.

This is the remains of a very old German stoneware jug. It must have been broken rather badly so someone filed off the neck, sanded off the remains of the handle and then carved a piece of wood to replace part of the missing foot. I guess it's a vase now.




Probably looked like this once (from a Bonham's auction).



And here is another old German jug that was broken and had the hole in the base filled with lead. That's right, lead. I hope they didn't drink from it too often.




And of course there are things salvaged by repairing with metal staples. This is a huge pitcher that someone must have thought highly of.

 

My current avatar is from a period of boredom last winter where I created creatures from old electronics parts

 

Hysterical!

 

Love it !!!!!!!

 

terry
You definitely had too much time on your hands LOL

(ok davey - need a picture of a clock tied on top of a hand)

 

While I was looking for enamelware for the syrup jar thread; I came across this website.

This is what I found first:
http://andrewbaseman.com/blog/?p=850

This is the start of the blog:
http://andrewbaseman.com/blog/

 

There's Japanese repair technique that uses lacquer mixed with powdered metals (gold, silver, platinum) that is very attractive. It's called kintsugi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi

 

A popular thing with pen collectors (myself included) is to repurpose old silverware chests as pen-storage/display cases. Old silverware chests are a dime a dozen, and most are in terrible condition. So it's easy to just turn them into display-cases/storage cases.

 

Terry,you could SO sell those ! They are adorable !

 

Say_it, I feel strongly about that giant pitcher. I wouldn't care if it were repaired with bubble gum or Scotch tape!!

 

Ya know silver I'd be happy to send it to you. I've got soooo much stuff and it's lost around here. It's 13" high so really a big one. If you want it just send me a private message with your address. It could use a better home.

 

G A S P !!!

 

I'm sure I've seen the decoration on that pitcher somewhere previous. Maybe in one of the "Styles of Ornament" books.

I guess I can get away with one last showing of my lamp re-purposed as a Christmas tree (now dismantled).

 

Don't know if you all have seen the garden art made from all the old glassware that no one seems to want .......

 

There's quite a cottage industry for those here, Brad!

 

Brad those are especially nice! I've seen the ceramic cup and saucer garden art but when googling for a nice example I found this birdfeeder which I think is brilliant!

 

Hi More otherstuff

That is so beautiful. It has me second thinking of a repair I need to do. It is a pottery vase that does not fit well together broken. I have some cans of bronze powder in different shades I wonder if I can combine them with the glue to "fill in" the widened cracks. Something to keep me up tonight thinking about.
greg

 

Hi Silver,
Happy belated Christmas!!!!!! That pitcher is down right gorgous.
greg