A staple repair, also known as riveting, is a traditional method of mending broken or cracked ceramics, and sometimes glass, using small metal staples. Fine holes were drilled part of the way into the body on either side of the break, and bent metal clips, usually of brass, iron or silver, were fitted into them to hold the pieces together, often with a filling of putty or plaster to seal the joint.
Before the development of modern adhesives, travelling china menders and specialist repairers in towns and cities offered this service, and staple repairs are found on porcelain, earthenware and stoneware from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century. The practice reflects the high value placed on porcelain, particularly Chinese export wares, which households preferred to repair rather than replace. Staples are now regarded as part of an object's history, and many collectors appreciate a neat, old repair as evidence of use and care, although it still lowers value compared with an undamaged example. Conservators generally advise against removing old staples unless they are corroding or causing further damage, as removal can enlarge the holes and stress the body. Staple repairs should be noted clearly in any condition report.
