By Joanna Bishop-Tyer
May 13, 2025
Our Most Notable Preservation Yet
One of the greatest honors in our 41 years of restoring artifacts and heirlooms is having been selected (from among other very distinguished conservators) to conduct the meticulous preservation of our most ancient project to date, a Meiping patterned Chinese vase from the renowned Southern Song Dynasty, 960-1279.
This unusual artifact emerged during a vibrant era characterized by intense political upheaval and a flourishing of arts and culture.
It is by far, the rarest and most valuable masterpiece we have ever encountered.
Composition & Damage
This exquisite vase, showcased above, was crafted from parcel-gilt silver (partially gilded) and adorned with delicate gold leafing and a Meiping pattern--a timeless Chinese decorative style specifically designed to showcase the beauty of plum blossom branches.
The vase fell victim to damage caused by a globally renowned fine arts dealer.
Its owners conducted an extensive search to source the expertise that the preservation of a piece of its age and construction required.
Because of the unique expertise of our esteemed Art Restoration team, Mumford Restoration was chosen to preserve the history of this 1000+ year old artifact.
What Repairs Were Necessary
Upon close examination of the photos, it becomes evident that the damage inflicted upon the vase is quite severe,including a noticeable hole and several adjacent areas of concern, including dents and cracks that had to be addressed.
We found the vase to be in a most extreme brittle state, which can be attributed to its age and the centuries of polishing it has endured.
Given the age, construction of the vase, and the specific nature of the damage, our team's expertise in metallurgy was indispensable in devising a highly precise, very delicate approach for its restoration.
The Road to Preservation:
Our Treatment Approach
Inspecting the vase under a blue light, indications of a previous repair.
As you can see in the post-treatment photos further down, our team was able to reassemble the broken fragments and successfully fill the hole.
So, how did we do it?
Filling The Void
Due to its delicate nature, it was imperative that we create a silicone mold of the vase's side. This allowed us to not only recreate its beautiful curvature but to provide the necessary structural support to prevent further damage. With the precision of a surgeon, each fragment was scrupulously placed and the void was expertly enclosed.
Getting In Shape:
The Dent Removal
The dent removal aspect of the treatment plan demanded the highest level of precision to ensure no further damage 
was incurred. This was arguably the most painstaking aspect of the entire preservation. It was a very delicately executed, rigorous process accomplished by backing the dented area on the inside of the vase with Japanese tissue to support the existing cracked areas.
It necessitated frequent intervals of inspection, with a microscope, to immediately observe any possible cracking, and ceasing immediately had any damaged been observed.
The sharply creased and tented areas had a previous, flawed repair that we found to be irreversible.
While we were not able to safely remove all of the dents due to its dangerously brittle condition, we were able to push out the larger dented area and re-establish its correct curvature without incurring further damage. This was no small feat.
Unrelenting Dedication To Authentic Preservation
The responsibility and duty our team felt to authentically preserve such a significant piece of history was tremendous. We are grateful for their remarkable diligence and unwavering commitment--ensuring they executed the most skilled, authentic repair of this ancient relic.
Do you have an heirloom or artifact you'd like to preserve?
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