Technical Case Study
The restoration of this magnificent Marble Saloon presented some major challenges to the conservators involved.
Ceiling cleaning
This was undertaken in two phases. First, each of the 160 coffers was individually cleaned using a vacuum and soft brushes, in order to remove surface dirt and the thick dust deposits. The second more thorough cleaning was steam cleaning using de-ionised water. This was applied as a fine jet of steam from a Derotor steam tool, and then dabbed dry with cotton wool. After cleaning, a thin layer of distemper was applied which further acts to consolidate the plaster surface, and provides better definition of the modelled details of the coffers and frieze. Wherever possible, exposed ferrous armature was removed and replaced with the equivalent in stainless steel.
Ceiling coffer with the accumulation of two hundred years of dirt and coffer after cleaning
Missing limbs
The top of the frieze was suffering from what appeared to be impact damage. This was resolved with the application of two coats of lime plaster render, and finished with a casting plaster skim. Years of mischievous school boys had taken their toll, and the lower parts of the frieze had suffered physical damage. Graffiti was evident, some figures were missing limbs and balls, keys, and eggs were found lodged in the frieze, while other areas of the frieze were missing. As there is no repeat pattern, a photographic record taken in 1870 by J Mudd & Co had to be used as a guide for the reattachment of loose sections, and also consulted for the recreation of missing elements. The detached sections were salvaged, consolidated and then re-fixed using 5mm stainless steel bars set in polyester resin. When recreating missing sections rubber moulds were used and casting replacements were made in fine casting plaster. Elements that could not be cast directly from existing areas required hand modelling.
Areas recreated either through casting or hand-modelling based on Mudd photographs (circa 1870) pre-dating any damage.
Denotes areas damaged and or detached from frieze. These sections were salvaged, consolidated and re-pinned with stainless steel armatures into original position and made good.
The coffers are cleaned using a Derotor steam tool, before being dried with cotton wool
Fixing newly cast elements to the frieze, as shown in the image below
Drawing by Cliveden Conservation Workshop Ltd showing the missing and damaged elements in part of the frieze