LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR ROYAL WORCESTER CHINA

CHINA MATCHING

China matching services are available across the UK and indeed the world to help if you have had the misfortune of losing or breaking a piece from a Worcester porcelain dinner or tea service no longer in production. A great place to start to find a replacement would be in our own Museum Shop. The shop stocks a range of 19th and 20th century Royal Worcester tableware. Contact us to find out more.

Alternatively, one of the companies listed below may be able to help with your china matching enquiry. Generally, they will only be able to trace replacements for services made after the First World War, and will usually need a photograph of your set, pattern name and any numbers from the back.

Please note: this is a list of known china matching companies and not a recommendation.

United Kingdom

China Search
4 Princes Drive, Kenilworth Warwickshire CV8 2FD
t: 01926 512402
[email protected]
www.chinasearch.uk.com

China Matchers
Unit 7 Broomshawbury Farm, Hatfield Broad Oak, CM22 7JY
[email protected]
www.chinamatchers.co.uk

China Matching Store
[email protected] 
www.chinamatchingsstore.co.uk/royal-worcester

China Search
4 Princes Drive, Kenilworth Warwickshire CV8 2FD
t: 01926 512402
[email protected]
www.chinasearch.co.uk/royal-worcester

The China Village
Unit 5 Cranbourne, Budbrooke Industrial Estate, Warwick, CV34 5XH
t: 01926 930324
[email protected]
www.thechinavillage.co.uk/pages/royal-worcester

Mr Pottery Ltd
34 Coventry Close, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3UP
t: 0800 772 3428
[email protected]
www.mrpottery.co.uk/pages/royal-worcester

Replace Your China
48 Wyatts Lane, Corfe Mullen, Dorset. BH21 3SQ
t: 0800 772 3844
[email protected]
www.replaceyourchina.com/royal-worcester-295-c.asp

Replace Your Plates
Wayne Smith, Hidden in the Attic, 32 Chapel Lane, Wymondham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR18 0DL
t: 01953 856 022
[email protected]
www.replaceyourplates.co.uk/product-category/brands/brands-royal-worcester

Overseas

Replacements Ltd.
1089 Knox Road, McLeansville, NC 27301-9228
www.replacements.com

CLEANING CHINA

The care of ceramics can seem daunting at first, but the following information will guide you on how to care for complex objects and how to safely store them.

Before cleaning your porcelain or china it is important to thoroughly check for any signs of damage: cracks and chips, flaking or lifting of the surface decoration, and signs of previous repairs. If there is any structural damage to the item we recommend consulting an expert before cleaning. You can also read our advice on mending broken porcelain.

Cracks or chips expose the porous body and may absorb water and dirt during cleaning so care should be taken as per the process outlined below. Any flaking or lifted areas of decoration are likely to be very fragile and further losses are likely so it is advised to avoid cleaning these areas without professional advice. Care should also be taken with previous repairs as these areas are more sensitive. Many old restoration materials are water-soluble so cleaning with water could weaken the repair.

For larger ceramic items, dusting is a safer way to care for the object. If moving the object is necessary, ensure both hands are used and support from below – never pick them up by weaker areas such as handles, knobs or rims.

CLEANING METHODS

• For dusting, use a lint-free cotton duster and a soft artist’s paintbrush for intricate areas.
• Care should be taken when submerging porcelain in water. Although glazes provide barriers to liquids, cracks in the glaze are common, making the areas porous and prone to damage. Never use a dishwasher for valued ceramics, and avoid using household bleaches or strong cleaning agents.
• Instead, dampen a cotton wool swab in warm water with a little detergent (no more than a few drops per litre of water). Gently roll the swabs over the porcelain, and refrain from scrubbing.Ensure that the swab remains clean so as not to move dirt into any cracks. Avoid swabbing over any previous repairs or lifting decoration.
• If you are cleaning tableware that is in relatively good condition without crazing in the glaze you can hand wash in a sink or similar container. Use just a few drops of detergent in warm water and only place one item in at a time. Consider placing a tea towel or piece of foam in the bottom to create a softer surface. A plastic bowl is much better than a glazed or metal sink without other padding.
• Before drying, take care of ceramics by wiping over the area with water to remove any detergent residue.
• To dry, blot with a paper towel or lint-free cloth.

DISPLAY AND STORAGE

• Display your porcelain in areas where there is less traffic to avoid the risk of being knocked. Glass display cabinets will not only keep them secure but also protected from dust.
• To avoid vibration damage, place a piece of chamois leather under the object. Ensure pieces are not touching and are placed on flat, even surfaces.
• Ceramics can tolerate many environmental conditions including light and temperature, however sudden changes in temperature could cause cracks. Some old repairs may also be susceptible to discolouration if stored in strong light.
• When not on display, wrap porcelain in acid-free tissue paper and bubblewrap, and never apply tape directly to the object. Masking tape is useful to secure bubble wrap as it greatly reduces the risk of adhering to the object during packing or rewrapping as it can be easily removed.
• Store ceramics in strong plastic containers with substantial wadding between and around pieces. Stacked plates/nested items will benefit from a piece of bubble wrap between layers.Consider the amount of weight placed on items underneath as this can cause cracking especially if the container is being moved. Refrain from storing in damp environments.

Following these simple ‘care of ceramics’ steps during cleaning and storage will ensure you, your family and friends can enjoy your Worcester porcelain for years to come.

Care of your Egg Coddler

Egg coddlers are porcelain containers that allow an egg to be soft-cooked without being placed directly into water. There are some spectacularly pretty egg coddlers; the most iconic British ones being made by Royal Worcester.  To use, you would crack an egg into the coddler, screw the top on and then place it into a pot with water to cook. It’s a very simple process to coddle eggs and the results are delicious, especially when serves with warm buttery toast.

Cooking

Egg Coddlers are manufactured in Royal Worcester fireproof hard porcelain. Porcelain is a true cookware material impervious to boiling water with excellent thermal shock resistance properties.

During cooking the Egg Coddler should not be totally submerged in boiling water. Stand the egg coddler in a pan of boiling water taking care that the water level only reaches halfway up the porcelain body of the coddler to ensure gentle cooking of the egg.

Egg Coddlers should not be used in a microwave oven or exposed to a naked flame.

Cleaning

Caring for your egg coddler is fairly easy, and surprisingly they can be washed in the dishwasher. However as some dishwasher detergents are caustic and abrasive this may affect the decoration and glaze, therefor it might be wise to wash by hand in warm soapy water.

Do not use abrasive scouters on glazed or decorated areas. Most stains or burnt on particles can be removed by soaking in warm water before washing.

General use

Do not screw the lid on too tightly – a loose turn is sufficient.

Take care when removing the coddler from the water as the lid may be hot.

Egg Coddlers are suitable for use in the fridge – they make original jam and marmalade pots for the breakfast table.

Mending broken porcelain is often possible but you will need to contact a ceramics restorer to assess whether the damage to your item can be repaired and if it is worthwhile. They will usually need to see the object, or a really good photograph of it, to make a first assessment and give you an estimate of cost.

There are several different types of repair: a ‘museum repair’ aims to make an object stable and to halt any deterioration. It will not seek to disguise any damage but usually will involve deep cleaning of the object so that cracks and other damage are less obvious. Other types of ‘restoration’ can completely hide any damage by painting or spraying over any faults or even making complete new replacement parts such as handles and lids. A professional restorer will always advise the best and most appropriate type of repair for your object.

You could try the Institute for Conservation for more information www.icon.org.uk or look at www.conservationregister.com

Please note: this list is not a recommendation or guarantee for quality of work

Cheshire

David Adams
Antique pottery and porcelain, architectural ceramics
Monogram Studios, 25 Kinsey Street, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1ES
t: 01260 273 957

Buckinghamshire

David Battams
Member of Institute of Conservation
All types and makes of ceramics, crystal, glass and resin. Museum and invisible repairs
t: 07956 832 375
[email protected]
www.chinarepairsandrestorations.com

Devon

Helen Warren Porcelain Restoration
Member of Institute of Conservation
Unit 7, Salterton Workshops, Station Road, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 6RJ
t: 01395 442600
[email protected]
www.porcelain-restoration.co.uk

Hertfordshire

Beckwith & Son
St Nicholas Hall, 43 St Andrew Street, Hertford, Herts SG14 1HZ
Oriental and European porcelain restorer
t: 01992 582 079

London

Tiago Oliveira Ceramics Glass Enamels
t: 07780 931 980
[email protected]
www.toconservation.co.uk

Northern Ireland

Clare Ross
Dunluce Antiques, 33 Ballytober Road, Bushmills, Co Antrim BT57 8UU
Antique and modern pottery and porcelain. Trained at West Dean
t: 02820 731 140
www.dunlucegallery.com

Oxfordshire

Restoration Works
All types of ceramic restoration
Hannah West – Witney area
t: 01993 705 709
Joanna Seaward – Oxford area
t: 01865 761 033
www.restorationworks.co.uk

Staffordshire

Alan Finney Antiques Ltd.
3 John Street, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST8 6BB
All types of pottery and porcelain, especially antique
t: 01782 519 006
[email protected]
www.alanfinneyantiques.co.uk

SURREY

Vivanee Art & Design
Guild of Master Craftsmen
20 Malden Rd, Cheam Village, Surrey SM3 8QF
Modern and antique porcelain and pottery, lamp conversions
t: 020 8664 4757

WEST SUSSEX

West Dean College
West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 1QZ
t: 01243 811 301.
Tuition available. All types of ceramics and glass. [email protected]

Wales

Peter David
Accredited Member of the Institute for Conservation
PJD Ceramics Ltd, 1 Peterswell Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan CF62 7NB
All pottery and porcelain repairs carried out. Museum repairs
t: 01446 748 153
[email protected]

USA

DoctorArts Inc. (Eduardo Czarnecki)
4827 SW 75th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33155
Restoration of porcelain, antiques and Fine Arts, museum-quality repairs
t: 305 479 6826
[email protected]
www.doctorarts.com