The plates are stapled or riveted together. This was done 1840’s - 1910 or so in Europe by traveling craftsmen. I think the visual creates the appearance of a scar - that is what drew me to them since I’ve been repaired myself. I like that you can see they have been injured and mended - fortifying them.
The x-rays show the twisted wires put in to hold my sternum in place after they sawed it apart to replace my heart 7 1/2 years ago. I have 20 plates & platters in my collection as well as some other pieces of fabric bits that are stitched and mended, a large crystal that is wired. The idea that these items were prized enough to be saved and repaired and that the scar they bare is a testament to their preciousness and, I think makes them far more beautiful than if they were in pristine condition. I guess I include myself in that as well, my scars are my badges of honor, visual verification of my history.
I also like the imperfection of the repairs, that you can see the human touch of the repairman - in the plates the rivets are not necessarily evenly spaced, the textile stitching appears like little hatch marks on the fabric and in my own chest the wires are crudely twisted almost like they are a twist tie on a loaf of bread.
