CERAMIC
RESTORATION PROCESS
Sergio Bustamante
Toucan Egg
This Toucan Egg was badly damaged when Jeff received the piece in his restoration studio. The sculpture was faded and peeling. Two broken birds were previously glued on making the professional restoration labor more intensive.
For full-size image, please click on each picture.
1
Before
The baby toucans were lifting from the egg, and the egg’s finish was peeling off the raw ceramic.
2
Before
The birds were faded from sun and had moisture damage.
3
During
The paint, which was lifting off this piece, had to be scraped off to the bare ceramic.
4
During
While scraping off the old surface, Jeff carefully preserved the Bustamante signature in order to restore around it.
5
During
The surface was patched and sanded several times returning the egg to its original, smooth texture.
6
After
No more sun-faded beaks! The egg and babies were flawlessly repainted and restored to their original condition.
7
After
Although the intricate work is tedious and time consuming, hand sanding and attention to complex details are Jeff’s specialties!
8
After
The birds are now more vibrant and detailed. The eye-catching, colorful sculpture really pops!