Do repairs decrease, or increase, the value of a piece of pottery?
Yes and No. For years antique furniture, rifles, and other collectibles have been repaired for collectors. Sometimes the quality of conservation is the determining factor in which value is determined. Ceramics have become quite collectable and many, due to age, use, and misuse, require conservation to aid in visual acceptance. Just as other antique collectibles, pottery, in most cases, is less valuable repaired than in original as made condition. However, similar to other antique forms, needed repair adds value after excellent conservation. Those artifacts that have special histories, such as famous owners, etc., obtain value both intrinsically and extrinsically and, excluding the ones existing in pieces, should not in general be repaired. Items showing some forms of use incidences and those from important collections are probably best left in existing conditions. Unfortunately for some items even excellent conservation will not aid visually or monetarily.
