Collector information
Everything you need to know before, and after, a work leaves the studio.
Each piece is hand-built in my Cape Town studio and exists as a one-of-a-kind work. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, every piece is carefully hand-packed before making its way to you.
HOW A COMMISSION WORKS
Authenticity & Provenance
Each work is hand-built as a one-of-a-kind piece and signed on the base. It is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity recording the title, medium, dimensions, year of making and studio reference number.
A permanent studio record is kept for every work, including its original ownership. Should a piece ever be gifted, insured, valued or resold, its provenance can be confirmed through the studio on request.
Shipping & Collection
Each work is carefully prepared and securely packaged by hand before leaving the studio.
Available works are dispatched within five working days of purchase, unless otherwise noted. Commissions are shipped on the agreed date. Once your artwork has left the studio, tracking details will be sent to you by email.
International shipping is calculated according to the destination, size and weight of the work. Shipping and insurance cover one artwork to a single address. Insurance is recommended for all artworks in transit.
For larger sculptures over 45 cm, or orders containing multiple works, shipping is quoted individually. Please email the studio before purchasing and I will confirm the exact shipping cost with you.
Collection in Person
Works may also be collected from the studio in Cape Town by appointment.
You are welcome to see your work before taking it home and, if you'd like, have a look around the studio at what else is currently in progress.
Duties, Taxes & Import
For international orders, any import duties, taxes, VAT or customs handling fees charged by the destination country are the responsibility of the buyer. These charges are determined by the relevant customs authority and are outside the studio's control.
Original artwork and handmade ceramic sculpture may be classified differently from manufactured homeware or decorative goods, and some destinations offer reduced or zero duty rates for artwork. The applicable treatment varies by country.
Each shipment is accurately declared as original artwork and the relevant artwork details and certificate of authenticity are provided with the customs documentation where appropriate.
If you are unsure about the duties or taxes that may apply to your order, I recommend checking with your local customs authority before purchasing.
Condition & damage in transit
Damaged in Transit
Each piece is carefully packed by hand before leaving the studio. If your artwork arrives damaged, please photograph the crate or packaging before unpacking, particularly if there is any visible damage.
Please let me know within 48 hours of delivery and email photographs of the crate, packaging and artwork to info@melissaknoesen.com.
Please keep the crate and all packing materials until the matter has been resolved, as the courier may need to inspect them.
I will take care of the process from there. Where damage has occurred in transit, I will arrange either a full refund or, if you would prefer, a new work made in its place. As each piece is unique, a replacement will never be identical to the original, and that choice is always yours.
The Nature of Handmade Ceramics
Hand-built ceramics carry the marks of their making. Subtle irregularities in form, variations in glaze depth and colour, small pinholes, glaze crazing and visible throwing or coiling lines are all part of the character of a handmade piece.
These details are not considered faults, but are part of what makes each work individual. Where a piece has a more pronounced characteristic, it will be photographed and noted on its individual product page so that you can consider it before purchasing.
Returns & cancellation
Buying an original artwork online is an act of trust. While photographs offer a considered view of each piece, I understand that experiencing the work in person is different. For available works, there is therefore a short window in which you may change your mind.
Available Works
Available works may be returned within 7 days of delivery, provided the piece is unused, unmarked and returned in its original crate and packaging.
Return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. Once the artwork has arrived safely and has been inspected, the purchase price will be refunded in full.
Commissions
Commissioned works are created especially for you and developed within my artistic practice and visual language. As they are made specifically to an agreed brief, they are not returnable simply because you change your mind.
The process is intentionally conversational, with the direction, details and expectations discussed and agreed before the work begins, so that the finished piece feels considered from the outset.
Care of Ceramics
These are sculptural works rather than functional vessels. With a little care, they are made to be enjoyed for years to come.
Dusting
A soft, dry brush or lint-free cloth is ideal. Matte and unglazed surfaces can show marks more readily, so avoid using anything damp on these areas.
Cleaning
If needed, glazed surfaces can be gently wiped with a barely damp cloth and dried immediately afterwards. Avoid detergents, solvents, polish and abrasive cleaning products.
Water
Ceramic sculptures are not watertight unless specifically stated and should not be filled with water unless the individual work has been designed for this purpose.
Handling
Always handle your piece with care. Lift from the base using both hands and avoid lifting or carrying it by a rim, neck or projecting form.
Not Intended for Functional Use
These works are created as sculptural objects and are not intended for food use. Unless specifically stated otherwise, they are not food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe or oven-safe.
Outdoor Display
Unless specifically stated, works are intended for indoor display.
Exposure to frost, prolonged direct sunlight, rain and sprinkler systems can affect both the ceramic body and glaze over time. For this reason, indoor works are best kept inside.
Repair
If a piece is ever chipped or broken, keep all fragments and get in touch before attempting a repair yourself.
Conservation repair is often possible, and having the work assessed and repaired appropriately is always preferable to attempting it at home.
Watercolours
Original watercolours are painted on cotton paper and are sent flat or rolled, unframed.
For the best long-term preservation, I recommend framing your work behind UV-filtering glass or acrylic, with an acid-free mount and a small air gap between the glass and paper.
Keep watercolours away from direct sunlight and areas of high moisture. Watercolour pigments can fade with prolonged exposure to light, and once faded, the colour cannot be restored.
Placement & Installation
Sculpture benefits from a little space around it. Where a piece is placed can make all the difference to how its form, texture and surface are experienced within a room.
Light
Side light from a single source brings out texture and creates gentle shifts across the surface. Overhead lighting can flatten these details. Matte and textured surfaces, in particular, are beautifully revealed by softer, directional light.
Height
As a general guide, the widest point of a sculpture should sit around eye level when seated. When placing a piece on a console or shelf, allowing generous space above it gives the work room to breathe.
Ground
Place sculpture on a stable, level surface away from doorways, high-traffic areas and anything that could catch or knock the work.
Felt pads beneath the base can help protect both the artwork and the surface it rests upon.
If you are considering a particular piece and would like advice on placement or scale, feel free to send me a photograph of the space along with its dimensions. I’m always happy to advise.
Commissions
I occasionally accept commissions for original ceramic works, developed within my existing practice and visual language.
Each commission is approached individually, with the final work shaped by my process, materials and way of working. If you have an idea in mind, I’d be happy to discuss the possibilities.
For project enquiries, please email the studio with a little information about the space, the pieces you are considering and your timeline. I’ll let you know what is possible and advise on the best approach.
Discretion & resale
Collectors are never named publicly. Where a work is photographed in a home, it is shared only with permission and without identifying the location.
If you ever come to resell a piece, the studio is glad to confirm its provenance and provide documentation, and will share it with anyone on the collector list who may be looking for that body of work.
Speak to the Studio
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, need a shipping quote for a larger sculpture, or would like to know whether a particular piece might suit your space, please get in touch.
Emails are answered personally, usually within two working days.