UGH--my stomach turned reading your post, amy...

One thing I can suggest is to post on the Antiques and Collectibles board -- they may have some suggestions.

Good luck.

I'm really sorry to hear that. You must be so upset. I hope you find someone to fix your vase. Movers can be so careless.

I did a quick google search; this association has restorers in many states.
let us know how this problem gets solved !!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: list of restorers

Gosh, how'd they do that. Was it in pre-packaging, unwrapping, not packaged? That's too bad and I know you are sick about it, but accidents do happen.

Even though you have the insurance, just be prepared for a fight. Several years ago, movers scratched my dining room table very badly. When I tried to make a claim on it (after getting a restoring quote,) the very reputable moving company balked. I then told them that they could either have the table refinished, or could replace the antique for what it had been appraised for...$10,000. They quickly sent a restorer out to take the table away. It came back restored beautifully.

Thanks Fly. I forgot there was such a board. But, I had practically forgotten my own name last night....so tired!

Val, the vase was the only thing I wanted from my MIL's house after she died. She and I had a very wonderful, though short, relationship. I was one of the few people she'd let into her kitchen! :-) I unpacked a lightbulb yesterday that was seemingly packed with more care than the vase. I keep "running the tape" of those last few days, wondering why we didn't take it in the car with us. Stupid...

Mitch, thanks for the list. you must have used better search terms than I did. Restoration Services in Arlington, MA is on my short list and I see them there. I tried to find a pic of the vase but oddly it doesn't show up in any of my photos from the old house. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for the heads-up NHB. The driver handed me his cell phone yesterday, just after I opened the box. I was a mess and the president of the moving company was on the other end of the line. So, he knows how upset I am and has promised me he'll take care of it.

The driver, who was really wonderful, had a lot of issues with the condition of our things when he picked them up. He's based elsewhere, not in FL where the stuff was being stored. Anyway, he made his own notes while loading the truck down there. It seems very clear that the onus is on the FL company.

All I can say is that they'll be very sorry if they decide to mess with me. I am not known as the "smiling bulldog" for nothing. (ooh...maybe that's not the best moniker anymore...uh no lipstick...oy...)

Amy, I'm so very sorry your vase was damaged! I hope that you can find some one to repair it. I'm glad the
President of the moving company seems to be receptive too, I hope this is behind you quick.

>>

Why, She'd kick their butt, of course! ;)

Gosh, amy, I'd clean forgotten about everything you'd been through recently until I read "smiling bulldog" -- I can imagine those traits came in handy with the builder, but I can also imagine you weren't relishing the idea of having to bring them back into action again so soon.

Amy, don't laugh, but why not ask Martha? I only saw her old show one time, but she featured a restorer on it. Why not call/write the magazine? I would also call museums in New York.

Amy: I know about that running tape.... and hindsight, it would seem obvious not to trust anyone else with our most treasured possessions, but no doubt you had many details on your mind with the move, etc. Moving has got to be one of the most stressful occasions.

One year when we were travelling we bought a handmade nativity set and in the last minute rush, DH carelessly packed it and when we returned home, several pieces where damaged and, ironically enough, St. Joseph's head was off. We repaired it ourselves, but I swear part of my DH was glad as it just so happened that the nativity set he grew up with had a St. Joseph with a patched head--and so there was sentiment despite, even perhaps because of, the damage. It's symbolic of many things I suppose, that life is seldom perfect. I know that probably doesn't make the breakage any less painful, but I hope one day it will.

Let us know how it turns out.

I am so sorry your vase didn't make it. I'm going to tell you a breakables story that proves the point that even the most careful packing is not fool proof. So please don't beat yourself up about the woulda, coulda, shouldas. Many years ago during a move I carefully put a box of breakables on the floor of the passenger seat of my car. Hubby decided the floor was also as good place for some ridiculously heavy hand barbells he found in the basement. I did not know he put the weights next to my breakables. I hopped on the highway. Every time I changed lanes, the barbells rolled and smashed into my box of breakables. I was on a highway with few exits and the weights were way too heavy for me to reach over and pick up. Needless to say, my box of breakables didn't fare too well.

I'd call Christie's or Sotheby's and ask them for referrals.

Good idea, Patser!

Yeah, Fly....I am so drained by this summer's nonsense with the builder. And I am so tired of being tough.

Thanks for the stories, commiseration, and support everyone. As soon as I feel up to it, I will start to make some calls and think about where to go. DD has some classes she's taking in Boston in a week or so....maybe I can combine a trip.

Like deee said, don't beat yourself up about "what you should have done."

When we moved across town, we left all the things we wanted to move ourselves in the house, and let the movers move the rest. When we went back to get the last load with the movers, the house was on fire. All those "precious" items, were burn up in the fire, along with the last load of things in the garage. Had we let the movers take our breakables, art work, etc., those things could be safe in our home today. You just never know.

Oh gosh Amy, that's horrible.

With everything else you have going on, you sure didn't need that. I'm glad you still have the energy to fight. When our movers ruined the hardwood in our kitchen, putting the fridge in its alcove, I was like...so what. lol

Wish I could see a pic of the vase. Be sure and post one after it has been restored.

You want my opinion? I'm so flattered! Oh. You mean that Stewart woman. Well, I'll give you mine anyway.

If it's an antique and a restoration, no matter how good, will lower it's value, I'd look for a replacement of equal value to the one they broke.

"I'd call Christie's or Sotheby's and ask them for referrals." This is what I was going to say. They might be able to find you a new one or give best referrals.

parma42 - Had the same thing happen to our kitchen floors. Made me so mad! The marks are still there, though. How about yours?

Our new cherry floors are now blessed with piano footprints. Luckily the most egregious furrow is beneath a chair. The fridge is not seated right and needs to be tweaked (builders don't know $#!% from shinola about how to install integrated appliances) and I am just about certain my floor in the kitchen will not emerge unscathed. But, that's another story...

I dug around some more and found a photo of the urn or vase or whatever it is. It's on the floor. Funny thing is, DH has more sentimental connection to the ginormous lamp, also his mother's. I would have been just a bit relieved to see that thing go instead...

For those of you who think I should find a replacement....can you suggest how I might go about doing so? My MIL bought most of her things at auction back in the 40's and 50's. I can't imagine what it would take to find another one of these...

New Home builder, you have my condolences. That is really very sad. I keep muttering to myself, "People not things. People not things." I have to remember that what really matters is that my family is intact -- whole, healthy and happy.

Stop running the tape! forgive yourself, find a restorer, who will do a fabulous job and you will have your beloved reminder of your MIL back, and when you look at it, remember her, not the movers, they don't deserve to be immortalized in your brain. You don't own it for its "value" anyway, just get it back to the most beautiful state possible.

Good idea on the auction houses, or the ceramics dept. at MMA. Large numbers of ceramics in major museums are restored/repaired too, they know where to have it done.

Oh gosh, I LOVE that lamp!!!

I personally think you're on the right track with your "people not things" mantra. Get an estimate (or two or three) for a replacement or restoration (if that would be feasible), take the money, and buy something else for your new home. Long story short, my step-father let our family home get foreclosed on when my mother died, and all of our most cherished family heirlooms went to the curb (I lived out of state by then, and was only 18 besides). Although we didn't have much, the few things we had were precious to us (and one had great monetary value, as my great-grandfather was an Italian artist, and my mother had one small, original painting of his). I still have precious childhood memories that no one can take from me. Let it go. p.s. That lamp is beautiful! Peace.

Amy, is that a Deruta? If so, and if the sentimental value isn't that great to your husband, it should be easy to find out the replacement value and buy another one of similar age.

I'm with him on the lamp. Very pretty.

Newhomebuilder, yes, the marks are still there. What really ticked me off was when the manager of the moving company came to do our quote, I told him that I wanted the fridge to be moved over a thick piece of plywood so there wouldn't be any damage. He assured me that they knew how to move heavy items perfectly and if anything went wrong, he would personally come to the city where we moved and fix it on his hands and knees.

I should have taken him up on that but I just wanted the whole thing to be over.