Clare Spicer has been restoring and conserving ceramics, glass and objets d'art for twenty-eight years. After training for two years with internationally renowned conservator Renate Bloeck, she set up her own studio in Cowley Street, London and continued to build her reputation, moving to Devon in 1988. She now has a studio attached to her home near Tiverton, but also travels extensively to restore important tiles, marble fireplaces, damaged capitols and other related architectural repairs on site.

From marble sculptures and Persian pieces to the high glazes of Miessen and Worcester, early tin glazed plates, exquisite pieces from Imperial China, Majolica, della Robbia, Palissy, New Hall, Chelsea, Severes, Delft all and more, were restored or conserved in the Walton Street studio.

After training she and her partner left Renate to set up business on their own and for three years they ran a small but successful business from a Westminster basement. It was during this time that Clare began teaching ceramic conservation to students. In 1989 a move to Devon resulted in the opening of the studio attached to her home, from where she continues to work. 

Her past clients include, The National Trust, Powderham Castle, The Palace of Westminster Art Fund, Friends of Holland Park, Debenham House and many other private collectors and dealers. Clare is happy to undertake commissions for studio and onsite work, both on a large and small scale. She is committed to providing a personal and professional service for all her clients, be they corporate or private.

A recent commission was to consolidate the existing glaze on an Early tin-glazed plate, an extremely rare example of its type. The glaze was missing from large areas and the remaining glaze was fragile, there were also some areas of rim missing, and action was needed to prevent further deterioration. The missing areas were replaced and the glaze recreated, with care taken to limit the conservation to only the damaged areas as it was important not to compromise the original in any way.

Courses are sometimes available covering varying degrees of restoration; cleaning, removing old glue, stains and grime, bleaching cracks, bonding, consolidation with appropriate resins or adhesives, casting and missing areas, filling and hand painting. The more intensive courses would also cover the use of the spray gun. The restoration technique is called the Cold Curing Method incorporation the same procedures and materials as those adopted by The Victoria and Albert Museum. The courses are open to complete beginners, as well as to those with some experience.

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