Antique porcelain is wonderfully durable if given the appropriate conditions. This Royal Rudolstadt hand-painted fine porcelain plate (see my website blog to see the plate) was made in the Thuringia of Germany in the nineteenth century and looks as though it left the fatience factory yesterday.
Here are requisite care factors that should be used to keep your antique porcelain in excellent condition:
Temperature: Keep porcelain at a constant temperature between the range of 60 deg F to 80 deg F. Porcelain will craze if it is kept in a place that experiences change in temperature like an attic. Porcelain needs one temperature. Period.
Cleaning: Clean fine porcelain with water and a soft cotton cloth. Do not rub the porcelain. Let a gentle stream of luke warm water bath the porcelain and dry it gently. Detergents will degrade any paints, finish, gold, etc. It is not safe to use them; any of them. Period.
Light: Keep porcelain out of direct sunlight or strong florescent light. It can be in indirect light or a distance from lumination that doesn’t create heat. Porcelain in a window has the opportunity to acquire a temperature change. Don’t do it.
Handling: Handle porcelain safely from rims or bases. Do not put finger prints and/or hand prints all over your piece. Hand oils are left on your porcelain after holding it so it is best to reduce the amount of holding or touching. When you must touch your porcelain pieces, do so with extreme care. Many pieces are absolutely or nearly irreplaceable. Do not move them excessively or allow others to pick them up to get a closer look. Actually, behind glass doors is a wonderful place to keep your fine antique porcelain safe.
Hope this helps you keep your porcelain beautiful for generations to come!
~Lynn
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