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How to Restore the Finish to Lusterware

With its metallic glazed surface and an array of shapes and designs, lusterware pottery, first used in the 10th century, gained true popularity in the late 18th and into the 19th centuries. The metallic sheen comes from the use of actual metals such as gold or platinum, very diluted and mixed with aqua regia, a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acid. Other added materials included spirit of tar, turpentine and linseed oil. Restoring lusterware takes both the condition and surface wear into account.

Things You'll Need

Several soft clean cloths
2 shallow basins
Ammonia or mild soap
Copper or gold polish
Rubber gloves
Latex gloves
Extra-strength bonding glue
Tweezers
Thick towel or old blanket

Instructions

- 1
  Dust the lusterware piece. Put a towel or old blanket under the piece to prevent chipping and wear latex gloves, not cotton. Gently rub a soft clean cloth over the surface to remove any dust and dirt.
- 2
  Fill a shallow pan or basin with room temperature water and add several drops of ammonia or a small amount of mild soap. Fill a second basin with room temperature plain water.
- 3
  Change to rubber gloves. Dip a fresh dry soft cloth into the first basin and gently rub over the lusterware piece to clean it. Don't scrub or grip the piece too tightly.
- 4
  Select a new cloth, dip it in the plain water and gently rub to rinse. Do not immerse the piece in water. Blot the piece with a fresh soft cloth and set aside to thoroughly dry.
- 5
  Polish the piece using a mild copper or gold polish, depending on the finish. The piece must contain actual metals for polish to work, so you may want to check with an antiques expert first.
- 6
  Repair larger broken pieces, such as a handle, lid or tea spout. Once the piece has thoroughly dried, squeeze extra-strength bonding glue in the broken sections to adhere the broken pieces together. Use as little glue as possible. If needed, hold the pieces together with tweezers. Let the glue dry.

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