Common sense will take you a long way towards the care of antique porcelain. In some cases decorative pieces may be extremely fragile. Always remember to hold an item by the main part of the body, never by the extremities such as the handle. If necessary immerse it very gently in warm water with a mild dish washing liquid. Do not use abrasive cleaners. If it is very dirty use a soft sponge to very gently wipe clean. Pottery that is more porous should be cleaned with a soft damp cloth rather than immersing in water. If it is absolutely necessary to put it in water, proceed with caution making certain the water is luke warm and not too hot or cold. Be cautious when allowing the item to soak. Cellophane tape should never be used to hold on lids, as on peeling it off the enameling or gilding may be removed.