frequently asked questions.

We work hand-in-hand with independent pottery studios across Singapore. Every piece comes from their “unclaimed” shelves — work made by students or artists that never got picked up, even after the studio's agreed holding period passed. Instead of staying forgotten or thrown away, we give them a second life.

Not in the traditional sense. Every piece is brand new and has never been used. Pieces should not show any sign of wear, unless stated in its listing.

Every piece is handmade, no two are identical — slight variations in glaze, texture, and form are part of its charm. That said, to give you the quality you deserve, we grade everything honestly before listing:

• Grade A (Pristine) — flawless glaze, no cracks or chips. Daily-use or gift-ready.
• Grade B (Minor Flaws) — fully functional, just a little character (slight warping, uneven glaze).
• Grade C (Decorative / Wabi-Sabi) — visible hairline cracks or warping. Not for liquids, but lovely as trinket dishes, planters, or display pieces.
• Grade D (Studio Artifacts) — heavily flawed experiments.

These are independent studio pieces, not factory-made, so glaze composition varies piece to piece. Unless a listing says “Food Safe,” treat it as decorative or dry-use only — think keys, jewelry, dry goods. Handwash everything to protect the glaze, and skip the microwave and dishwasher.

Grade C is great for dry use and decoration, but the hairline cracks mean we can't promise it'll hold liquid or handle heat well. For plants, use it as an outer pot with a liner, or stick to low-water plants like succulents. We'd skip hot wax — heat can widen existing cracks.

We only source pieces after a studio's agreed holding period has passed, so by the time it reaches us, it's considered unclaimed. That said, we're a goodwill-first platform — if you're the maker and want your piece back, reach out with proof (a maker's mark or studio receipt) and we'll happily return it, as long as it hasn't sold yet.

Not quite — every piece is one-of-a-kind, so it's first come, first served until checkout is complete and you've got that confirmation email in hand.

Sadly, no. That's the nature of working with what studios happen to have left behind — every piece is unrepeatable. If you love it, grab it.

Yes, for select items. Once your order's confirmed, we'll send you the studio's location, pickup window, and contact details. Some studios are appointment-only, so please wait for our confirmation before swinging by — walk-ins might get turned away. Orders should be collected within 14 days of your pickup confirmation, or storage limits / re-appointment fees may apply.

Not currently — since pieces live at their original studios until sold, orders spanning multiple studios will arrive in separate parcels, which may mean a multi-location shipping fee at checkout.

As each piece is unique and described in detail with accurate photography and grading, all sales are final. We're unable to accept returns or exchanges for change of mind.

We take packaging seriously, but in the rare case of transit damage, please photograph the item and its packaging and email us at secondhandceramics@gmail.com within 48 hours. We'll arrange a full refund.

We ship island-wide via NinjaVan and Qxpress. Fees are calculated at checkout by weight and volume. Orders process in 2–4 business days, plus 1–3 business days for delivery.