My husband uses superglue when we need to repair broken glass or ceramic,
Look up super glue and baking soda on Youtube
I have repaired many tiny ceramic miniatures. Liquid crazy glue and not too much. Not the thicker crazy glue either. Thin stuff works best and have some Q tips handy for wiping off any excess quickly. Start with the torso and take some time, check the fit first. I would wait at least 20 minutes between fixes.
There is glue that cures instantly with UV light. It comes in a container that has a LED light on one end. You put a drop in place, mash the pieces together, and shine the light on the joint like a flashlight. You can get it at Walmart.
Dry test fit the pieces first to see if any bits are missing. If there are clean breaks, shouldn’t be a problem to glue it. If there are some bits missing, you might want to find a restorer to do this for you.
Any superglue that works on ceramics should do the trick as long as you follow the instructions to a t.
To apply in situations like this (we have always had cats and tchotchkes, so I get a lot of practice), I use a toothpick to apply the glue. Sparingly.
Follow the glue’s instructions on how long to hold/dry/cure.
Figure out how you’ll support it before you start gluing. You won’t have time to do that after application.
As for support while it dries, I’d glue one piece at a time. Before you start gluing, find/make some kind of support that will hold your piece while it dries. I’ve used things like a braced empty toilet paper tube, a bench vise with something to cushion and protect what I’m gluing. Get creative, and test before gluing.
Remember that if you apply more glue on the pieces than you need, it might squeeze out when you press. Do NOT wipe that away. Have toothpicks or a jewelers screwdriver handy to gently tease away the glue.
FWIW, I’d practice on something else first. Go to the store and buy some inexpensive ceramic trinket, break it, then glue it.
Keep in mind that, while well intentioned, this advice is worth what you paid for it.
Good luck!
There are several brands of cyanoacrylate (super glue) available in small bottles with a brush for application. The brush gives better application control than the small spouted bottles.
It sets in very short order.
Glue one section at a time and allow the joint to set before proceeding. Don’t get in a hurry and try to do it all at once. Before application fit the pieces together to have in mind exactly how they fit. Take your time
Beware getting the glue on your fingers. It will glue them together or maybe to the Zebra.
What’s that to the left of the quarter? Some parmesan cheese?
DAP Rapid Fuse is a slower curing super glue. It allows you to reposition for about 30’seconds then it sets.
Get the small squeeze tubes instead of the bottle for more precision. There’s also a bottle with a brush.
Lowes and Home Depot has it.
It’s a sad commentary on my life but I have 35 years of adhesive expertise.
I wouldn’t use liquid superglue, because it sets too fast. For similar repairs, I use a clear multi-use glue like Beacon 527. Apply tiny droplets with a toothpick, and don’t try for a continuous bead. Put the drops along the interior edge, so that any squeezed out will be on the inside. Do one break at a time, holding it firmly for a minute or so, then put the piece in a nest of TP or some such so there’s no stress on the repair, and leave it alone for several hours or overnight. Then do the next break.
The advice not to wipe off any excess that might be squeezed out is good. After all of the breaks are glued and completely dried, use an X-Acto knife and gently cut/scrape the excess away. Magnification helps here.
When it’s all done, put the zebras someplace where the cats won’t knock them to the floor, if such a place exists.
My mother had hundreds, if not thousands of pieces like this. Look up “Rio Hondo California Pottery” on ebay or some other site to find replacements. I am pretty sure it is a Rio Hondo. They go for for around $15
Break something that has ZERO meaning to you and ‘repair’ that item first.
Best to make your mistakes and experiment on something that doesn’t matter before moving on to your zebras.
If it is porcelain, egg white works very well.
In fact I would try egg white first as it is easy to wash off if you make a mistake.
Tiny Broken Zebra would be a great name for a garage band, and that photo would be a great album cover.