-
Restoration and re-binding of two photograph albums
Posted: July 12, 2022This project for the Royal Marines consisted of combining two badly damaged photograph albums into one new album. There were many loose pages and extensive damage to the page edges as well as loose material and damaged photographs. -
Christ the Redeemer Mosaic by Jonah Jones
Posted: July 6, 2022The removal of a religious artwork, a large mosaic depiction of Christ by the artist Jonah Jones, from a church due for demolition and its subsequent reinstallation. -
Bristol Blue Glass Vase
Posted: July 5, 2022The project was to reconstruct a large Bristol Blue Glass Vase, one of three it had met with a catastrophic accident resulting in it being in 46 recognisable pieces and 1 bag of dust as shown in the first gallery image. The challenges were that there would be some material that was too small to reinstate, leaving gaps. The glass is lead crystal and flashed blue on each exterior surface, which gives the degree of translucency seen. Visibility of the repair was always going to be an issue close up, but at the distance the vases are viewed from on display the repairs will not be visible and the three vases will be restored to their original integrity. Other issues that I had to be aware of were that the glass is an inconsistent thickness giving rise to different stresses within the structure, it is also very off centre in its construction. The actual act of piecing the object together was done dry, i.e. with no adhesive in place, this was only done after hours of studying thepieces to ensure that they were in the correct order. -
Muniment Tiles
Posted: June 13, 2022The floor of the Muniment Room at Magdalen College, Oxford has been laid with over 450 medieval tiles. The tiles were cleaned, stabilised, and their condition documented. -
Pill Slab
Posted: June 11, 2022An early tin glazed earthenware Pill Slab decorated with the arms of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries. This work of art is a cherished heirloom belonging to a family with a long history of practicing medicine. The motto, Opifer Que Per Orbem Dicor, translates as: I am spoken of all over the world as one who brings help. -
Falkland Palace (Fife) – Exterior Gatehouse Heraldry
Posted: June 8, 2022In April 2022, the National Trust for Scotland commissioned SWPC to treat deteriorating painted decoration on three heraldric panels on the exterior of the gatehouse at Falkland Palace. Since 2007, the Trust has wished to take a conservation approach to treatment of the panels, rather than carrying out complete restoration (which is typical for heraldry); therefore, every effort was made to conserve existing paint layers and reintegrate polychromatic losses. Given the harsh climate in this part of Scotland, the main challenge has been researching and sourcing conservation materials able to withstand the driving wind and rain. Previous treatment methods and material choices have been carefully reviewed, and where considered appropriate, more suitable alternatives have been used. -
Terracotta Pithoi
Posted: June 7, 2022Stabilisation of a Portuguese Pithoi from the walled garden at Turn End in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire. This large planter has been a part of the Grade II garden at Turn End for over 50 years. -
Painted Glass
Posted: June 1, 2022A 20th century oil painting of roses on an opal glass panel. The painting is one of a pair in a family collection. It had water damage which caused some of the old joins to fail, discolouration, and mould growth. -
‘Ness’ by Roy Slade – cleaning an acrylic painting
Posted: May 27, 2022Cleaning an acrylic painting and preparing for display. -
Site work – Frame conservation and modifications for re-glazing with Optium acrylic
Posted: May 27, 2022Site work at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to structurally repair a large carved and gilded picture frame, modify the frame to allow for Optium acrylic glazing and to prepare for display.