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Subject:Re: Importance of crazing/crackle in dating pieces?
Posted By: Paul Benson Sun, Aug 09, 2015
Here is an additional picture of the crazing that may look a little clearer under zoom. I wish I could get a real good shot to show what I see with a loupe, it is really quite beautiful to me. (Maybe just because I am new to this.)
Also I gave this statue a good cleaning with warm mildly soapy water and a scouring pad for dishwashing. Now moat of the crud is gone and it really is looking nice.
I had read where you should give the unglazed areas a good wetting with a spray bottle and look for cracks or seams to show up. I was very disappointed to find evidence of what would seem to me to be serious damage to this statue which had been repaired. The base shows a crack from one side to another both top and bottom indicating it had most likely been broken clean in two.
I don't know how this could have happened without breaking a least two of the legs. The only thing I can see is a hairline crack in the rear lower leg/foot that doesn't seem to be a part of the craze pattern. My eyesight is very poor but it seems to me a repair would be more evident. Is it common for repairs to be so good they almost can't be seen? Again please pardon my limited knowledge in these matters. I also found fractures around the belly hole area, a possible repair to an ear, and evidence the seat of the saddle had probably taken an impact at some time.
Although I was quite unhappy to find such damage I guess it's not that suprizing and I am pleased with the improved look after the cleaning. It seems to have brought out the luster or richness of the glaze particularly the green. Thanks to all again. Paul
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