can I glue my mom's Lalique bowl back together?

May 27, 2012 2:00 PM

one of the feet broke off of my mom's Lalique bowl. it's a pretty clean break, it looks like I could just put it back on. can I? what would be the best way to do this? or am I better off taking it to a specialist to repair? thanks in advance.
posted by sabh to home & garden (9 answers total)

Epoxy, DIY.
posted by Rash at 2:04 PM on May 27, 2012

How much is it worth? Is it glass or ceramic?
posted by Specklet at 2:30 PM on May 27, 2012

it's glass or crystal. not sure how much it's worth, though. it's 30something years old.
posted by sabh at 2:37 PM on May 27, 2012

I would say a glass glue superglue. Choice 1, choice 2. Any hardware store will have one or both.
posted by caclwmr4 at 3:16 PM on May 27, 2012

LaLique is art!
Check Google before you consider DIY!

Shopping results for lalique vase

Lalique Bacchantes Vase-9.45" 1220000
$3,920 - 7 stores
Lalique! Vase 32 Americas Cup 320ex Collection Made in ...
$1,485 - 2 stores
Lalique Bacchantes Amber Vase 1220020
$4,760 - 4 stores
posted by Cranberry at 3:32 PM on May 27, 2012

If there one thing Antiques Roadshow has taught me, it's that you're better off leaving repairs and restorations to experts. Lalique is a higher end art glass both valuable and collectible.
Do not attempt to repair this yourself.
posted by ApathyGirl at 3:50 PM on May 27, 2012 [4 favorites]

Assuming there is nothing about the bowl that is going to be damaged by a solvent (i.e. it's all glass, nothing bug glass, all over glass) DIYing it with a glue that can be 100% removed at a later date by a professional restorer with a standard solved is not going to reduce it's value any more than the broken foot.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 8:37 PM on May 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh my God, please don't try to do a permanent repair on your own. Lalique is incredibly valuable art, and glass is finicky to work in. A poor repair takes away from the bowl's beauty, as well as decreasing its value.

If you absolutely, positively must get that foot back on for some reason, Kid Charlemagne's advice is good -- use something like Elmer's glue or, if you can get it, Paraloid B-72. (Which I think sells as Acryloid B-72 in the US, if that's where you are.) Paraloid is reversible for at least the next 99 years, and Elmer's glue is generally soluble. Whatever you do, don't grind the broken edges together, or otherwise abrade them.

And then find a good conservator who is experienced in working with glass, as they can repair it with a (very expensive, pain-in-the-ass to use) epoxy resin that has the same refractive index as the glass, so the break won't be visible. If you're in the US, AIC has a 'find a conservator' website here, in the UK, ICON has one here. Outside either of those countries, google something like 'professional conservator/restorer organization' and your country's name, or contact a good museum.
posted by kalimac at 7:03 AM on May 28, 2012 [1 favorite]

thanks, all. didn't realize how big a deal this bowl was, but seems like it would be worth it to take it to an expert!
posted by sabh at 5:19 PM on May 28, 2012