Very Old Plate - 1

Once cracked but never discarded, this 19th-century blue-and-white plate was mended with metal staples - a painstaking repair reserved only for pieces too valuable to lose. Each tiny staple was hand-drilled and set to hold the ceramic together, turning fracture into ornament. The scalloped edge, floral basket motif, and maker’s mark remain clear, but it’s the repair that makes it extraordinary. Few of these staple joins survive today, and each one is a glimpse into a world where objects were cherished enough to save. Exactly as pictured, a rarity worth keeping.

Minor variations from the images may occur unless otherwise noted. All sales are final.