FAIR Ceramics Condition Guide

How to Photograph Porcelain Restoration and Regilding for Appraisal

Direct answer

To photograph porcelain restoration and regilding for appraisal, start with full-object or full-service views, then show each filled chip, hairline, glued break, overpainted area, sprayed repair, regilded border, and replaced part with one location photo and one sharp close-up in plain light.

  • Match the appraiser to the item category.
  • Confirm the report purpose before pricing.
  • Compare fee disclosure before outreach.
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How to Photograph Porcelain Restoration and Regilding for Appraisal - FAIR online appraisal guide illustration
How to Photograph Porcelain Restoration and Regilding for Appraisal - FAIR online appraisal guide illustration
Decision guide

When checklist work prevents rework

Checklist pages are meant to improve the intake file. Better photos and notes help the appraiser decide scope, risk, and whether a formal report is justified.

When checklist work prevents rework
Situation Formal appraisal? Why it matters
You are still identifying the object Prepare first Photos, measurements, marks, condition notes, and provenance can change the next step.
The item may be valuable or disputed Often yes Condition, authenticity, completeness, and market evidence can materially affect value.
You only need better intake photos Not yet Use the checklist before asking for a quote so the appraiser can scope accurately.
Next step

Turn the guide into a shortlist.

Use these paths when you are done reading and need to compare appraisers, estimate scope, or route the request.

Search the FAIR directoryCompare public profile signals, service area, specialty fit, and fee transparency before outreach.Ask for a FAIR matchUse Match when the category, location, report purpose, or specialist boundary is unclear.Estimate appraisal costOrganize item count, report purpose, inspection needs, and timing before asking for a quote.
Start with the whole object

Restoration only makes sense when FAIR can see where it sits on the object. Take the plain record shots first, then move into repair details.

  • Photograph the front, back, sides, top, and underside before close-ups.
  • For a service, pair, or garniture, include one countable group photo first.
  • Use soft indirect light, no filters, and no flattering angles that hide repairs.
  • Add a medium-distance photo for every repaired rim, handle, finial, foot, reserve, or gilt border.
Show chips, hairlines, and glued breaks

For each repair, give FAIR the location first and the evidence second. That keeps the file useful for a porcelain specialist instead of creating more follow-up.

  • For filled chips, show the full rim, foot, handle, or ornament, then the fill itself.
  • For hairlines, photograph from two angles so length and direction are clear.
  • For glued breaks, show the full break path plus adhesive, discoloration, or misalignment.
  • If the repair is clearer from the underside or interior, include that view.
Document overpaint, spraying, and regilding

Blended restoration is easy to miss. The goal is not to make it dramatic. The goal is to show color, gloss, texture, and wear honestly.

  • Photograph suspected overpaint straight on and at a slight angle.
  • Show sprayed repairs where haze, matte areas, or gloss shifts appear.
  • For regilding, show the full border or handle, then close-ups of fresh, thick, even, or differently toned gilt.
  • Show transition lines where later color meets older glaze, enamel, or worn gilding.
Do not skip undersides and separate parts

Repairs often continue beyond the decorated face. Undersides, lids, stands, handles, and finials can explain whether parts are original, rebuilt, or replaced.

  • Photograph the full underside and foot rim of each object.
  • Show lids, saucers, stands, finials, and detachable pieces with the object first, then separately.
  • If a handle, spout, knop, or ornament may be rebuilt, show both joins.
  • For services, separate heavily restored pieces instead of hiding them in the group.
Flag specialist-routing issues

Some porcelain files are less about reading the mark and more about understanding restoration. Say that early so FAIR can route the file correctly.

  • Flag repeated filled chips, sprayed repairs, broad overpaint, or repeated regilding across a service.
  • Flag long break paths, rebuilt handles, replaced lids, replacement finials, or repairs that change shape.
  • Flag questions about original surface, border, decoration, or assembled parts.
  • If the object is unstable or risky to handle, say so before moving it again.
Send a short restoration note

Photos are stronger with a few plain facts. Keep the note short and useful.

  • State the intended use: insurance, estate, probate, sale planning, donation, or general review.
  • Say whether the restoration is documented, suspected, seller-disclosed, or family/dealer history.
  • Attach restoration invoices, conservation notes, prior appraisals, dealer descriptions, or auction listings.
  • If you are unsure how much is restored, say that directly.
Common questions
  • What repair photos matter most for porcelain appraisal intake? Filled chips, hairlines, glued breaks, overpaint, sprayed repairs, regilding, replaced handles, replaced lids, and color or gloss mismatch are the priority photos.
  • How should I photograph a filled chip on porcelain? Take one wider photo showing where the chip sits, then one close-up of the fill. Add an underside or interior view if that shows the repair better.
  • What does overpaint or a sprayed repair look like in photos? It often appears as a shift in gloss, color, or texture compared with the surrounding glaze or decoration. Straight-on and angled photos usually show it best.
  • Why does regilding need separate close-ups? Later gilding can look brighter, thicker, more even, or differently toned than older wear. Show both the full border and the close detail.
  • When should FAIR route porcelain directly to a specialist because of restoration? Route it early when repairs are numerous, broad, visually complex, or tied to rebuilt shape, decoration, surface originality, or completeness.
  • Should I polish, retouch, or clean the porcelain before taking these photos? No. Do not polish gilding, touch up fills, scrub repaired areas, or improve the appearance before the first review. Photograph it as found.
  • Can FAIR route a restoration-heavy porcelain file from photos alone? Often FAIR can make the first routing decision from strong photos and paperwork. Heavily repaired or unstable porcelain may still need narrower specialist review.
Related FAIR paths
FAIR trust boundary and source references
  • FAIR does not license appraisers.
  • FAIR does not certify competence or guarantee availability.
  • Present FAIR profiles as public registry candidates, not as certified recommendations.
  • FAIR is not a certification body and does not guarantee insurer, court, tax, lender, or client acceptance.
  • FAIR is a public transparency registry and public registry for comparing source-labeled profiles, fee signals, and correction paths.
Need help choosing an appraiser? Request a FAIR match or browse the directory.