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Scottish Renaissance painted decoration – Riddle’s Court (Royal Mile, Edinburgh)
Posted: May 18, 2022In 1598 King James VI and his wife Queen Anne of Denmark, along with Edinburgh Town Council, chose Riddle’s Court to hold two feasts in honour of a visit from Ulric Duke of Holstein (ambassador for the Holy Roman Empire). Elaborate decoration was carried out at Riddle's Court for these events. As part of extensive building refurbishment, the current property owners (Scottish Historic Buildings Trust) commissioned Scottish Wall Paintings Conservators (SWPC) to conserve an important Scottish Renaissance painted board and beam ceiling, and remains of a painted plaster frieze in The King's Chamber. -
Silver communion set, Mariakirken, Bergen. Norway
Posted: May 18, 2022This communion set was part of a group of 30 church silver items, and assosicated material, from Mariakirken, Bergen, that required cleaning, tarnish removal and a variety of further conservation treatments. The items ranged from silver spoons and small containers to large serving vessels and plates, varying considerably in size, style and age. -
The Pickling Project, St Albans Museums
Posted: May 18, 2022This ambitious project involved the conservation of St Albans Museums' fluid specimen collection, previously in a critical condition. I planned an approach to combine improved care of, and access to, the collection, with the training of volunteers and increased awareness of conservation within the museum service, culminating in an exhibition with associated events and activities. The dedication of the volunteer team was recognised by the Museums + Heritage Awards, being 'Highly Commended' in the category of Volunteer Team of the Year 2020. -
Bell pull with eagle claw, Hanseatic Museum, Bergen, Norway
Posted: May 17, 2022This project involved the conservation of an unusual eagle claw bell pull, which usually hangs in the historic interior of the Hanseatic Museum in Bergen. The fragile rope had weakened and broken, separating the claw from the rope pull. The project necessitated repair of the rope to provide adequate strength to enable the bell pull to be re-hung in its original location. Reconstruction of the two missing talons, and surrounding damaged skin, was also undertaken. -
Baccarat opaline vase, private client
Posted: May 17, 2022This project involved repair of a large white opaline Baccarat glass vase, which had catastrophically broken into two sections. Treatment involved adhesion, replication of missing glass and painted decoration, and the creation of a supportive travel case. -
Sir Richard Lee’s funerary armour, St Albans Museums
Posted: May 17, 2022This project involved the conservation of 16th century funerary armour for permanent display in the newly-created St Albans Museum + Art Gallery. The armour consists of an iron hauberk (mail shirt) and helmet. The main focus of the conservation treatment was to halt the severe, and ongoing, loss of weakened, corroded rings of the hauberk, and to remove a disfiguring waxy surface-coating (non-original) from the helmet. -
Havering Hoard
Posted: May 15, 2022Three block lifted hoards, one having been fully excavated and 3 partially excavated in the filed prior to block-lifting, were moved to the conservation lab for micro-excavation and documentation. -
2nd South Warwickshire Hoard of Silver Denarii
Posted: May 15, 2022This project cleaned 440 Roman silver denarii coins. Corrosion had obscured the surfaces so many were not legible others were visually distracting. -
Terra Nova Antarctic Sledge
Posted: May 15, 2022The sledge is owned by Bromsgrove School and was in need of conservation for display in new heritage centre which is based on the school grounds nearby. A important object which accompanied the Antarctic expedition which took place between 1910 and 1913. -
Conservation Advice for Finders
Posted: May 15, 2022These guidelines were produced for the Portable Antiquities Scheme. This guide is aimed at finders, and in particular metal-detectorists, who find and collect archaeological objects. It provides straightforward information on how to care for and record finds to ensure their long-term survival and to capture useful information about their discovery.