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Antique Collector Celebrates the Art of Inventive Repair
Andrew Baseman's 'make-do' collection showcases centuries-old household items that were lovingly fixed rather than discarded.
Apr. 20, 2026 at 9:10am
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Andrew Baseman, a New York designer, collects 'make-dos': antique household items that have undergone crude, home repairs. Shunned by most collectors, these cobbled-back-together 'orphans of the antiques world' find a home in Andrew's collection, where he celebrates the ingenuity and tenacity of the original repairers who kept these items in use for generations.
Why it matters
Baseman's collection casts our throw-away society into sharp relief, highlighting how most modern goods are designed to be short-lived. His blog, 'Past Imperfect: The Art of Inventive Repair,' draws attention to the history of repair and the importance of finding better solutions to over-manufacturing unnecessary items.
The details
Baseman's collection includes a broken clay mug held together by 46 metal staples and 6 metal bands, a broken tobacco-pipe-turned-vase, a delicate Russian teapot with a tin-can patch and metal ribcage-like buttresses, and a tiny toy dog with a wire-and-nail leg. These repaired items showcase the creativity and resourcefulness of their original owners, who refused to discard damaged goods and instead found ways to bring them back to life.
- Almost 200 years ago, someone dropped a clay mug and it shattered.
- In 2011, Andrew purchased an early 19th-century teapot with a repaired spout.
The players
Andrew Baseman
A New York designer who collects 'make-dos': antique household items that have undergone crude, home repairs. He features his collection on his blog, 'Past Imperfect: The Art of Inventive Repair.'
What they’re saying
“Until recently, dealers would discard broken or repaired pieces, never degrading the rest of their merchandise with anything less than perfect. I felt like I was giving these deserving survivors a new lease on life by taking them home and appreciating them for their unique beauty...I like to think that the original owner, some of them hundreds of years ago, repaired their cherished damaged goods, and continued to use and display them, warts and all!”
— Andrew Baseman, Antique Collector
“Unlike today where we discard anything chipped or cracked, broken household items were repaired at home or taken to a metalsmith to be brought back to life, often with whimsical results.”
— Andrew Baseman, Antique Collector
“I would like to learn the extinct art of ceramics stapling and help bring back the once thriving method of repair.”
— Andrew Baseman, Antique Collector
What’s next
Andrew Baseman plans to continue collecting and showcasing 'make-do' antiques on his blog, 'Past Imperfect: The Art of Inventive Repair,' in an effort to draw attention to the history of repair and the importance of finding better solutions to over-manufacturing unnecessary items.
The takeaway
Baseman's collection of repaired antiques challenges our modern throwaway culture, reminding us that there is beauty and value in repairing and repurposing damaged goods rather than discarding them. His work celebrates the ingenuity and resourcefulness of past generations and inspires us to rethink our approach to consumption and waste.
