The vases after restoration. © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

They had stood in the same place in the museum for almost 60 years, undisturbed. Then disaster struck in January 2006, when a visitor collided with the priceless artefacts after tripping on his shoelaces, and the Fitzwilliam Museum’s Qing Dynasty vases became headline news.

Now the three monumental vases, dating from the late 17th century, have finally gone back on display in the Cambridge museum after an equally monumental restoration process.

A specially designed case now safely houses the imposing 80cm-tall lidded baluster jar, which weighs about 45kg, and the two smaller ‘yan-yan’ shape porcelain vases. You would never guess that they had been smashed into hundreds of pieces, thanks to the hard work of conservator Penny Bendall.

Penny Bendall working on the initial piecing together of the vases. © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

“The sheer size and weight of the vases proved a challenge at times during the conservation process but I am very pleased to have brought this extensive project to a successful conclusion,” said Penny, who spent six months repairing the decorative works.

“The emphasis on minimum intervention throughout has hopefully demonstrated that, in the majority of cases, conservation to exhibition standard can successfully be achieved without excessive retouching.”

Museum staff are pleased to have the treasures back on show, but the decision was taken not to replace them where they had been overlooking the staircase.

© The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Fitzwilliam Museum Director Duncan Robinson (right) and John Dix, Managing Partner of Cambridge law firm Hewitsons (left), with ceramic conservator Penny Bendall as the installation of the vases is completed.

“The risk that sunlight and heat would eventually degrade the adhesive used in their conservation has prevented us from putting them back in the window recess where they were originally displayed,” explained Duncan Robinson, Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, “but the advantage of their new location is that visitors will be able to walk around them.”

The redisplay of the Qing vases on November 9 2007 is accompanied by the launch of a new interactive feature of the museum’s website, which traces the restoration project, including a time-lapse video of the reconstruction of one vase. The website is at www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/chinesevases.

The resoration was generously supported by Cambridge law firm Hewitsons.