PORCELAIN lovers will have the opportunity to get their hands on valuable pots, plates and moulds during national antiques week.

Worcester Porcelain Museum, the world’s largest and most impressive collection of Worcester porcelain, is celebrating the week by hosting a range of special events.

From Tuesday until Sunday, November 29, the museum will be offering the opportunity to get close to the collection of porcelain and experience things the public rarely get a chance to do and see.

There will be a series of handling sessions where visitors can get their hands on many of the fascinating pots, moulds, tools and engraved printing plates which normally spend their lives behind glass or are hidden away in stores.

On Wednesday, visitors can watch conservators cleaning and restoring the historic Worcester Porcelain pattern books that have been in the archives for decades .

These were actual working reference books, used in the porcelain factories, that were often put away filthy and covered in clay.

Qualified volunteer conservators from the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies will be in the museum restoring the historic items and will talk visitors through how they can ensure they remain part of the museum’s collection for years to come.

On Thursday and Saturday, visitors will be able to pay £6 to paint their own tile with artist in residence Jim Skerrett.

On Sunday there will be a rare chance to join a guided tour of the museum by the world’s leading expert in Worcester porcelain, Henry Sandon. Tickets for the tour are £22 per person.

Museum manager, Amanda Savidge, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting antiques week and as well as welcoming regular visitors we’re hoping that these activities will entice some people who have never considered visiting the Worcester Porcelain Museum, to explore and discover the wonders of the wonderful work and craftsmanship that have gone into producing Worcester porcelain over the centuries.

“We’re privileged to have this collection in our community and it is important that as many people as possible benefit from sharing it.”

Anyone bringing in this article from your Worcester News can enter the museum on a ‘two for the price of one’ basis – just present this cutting when paying for entrance.

For more information, visit worcesterporcelainmuseum.org.