STONE & PLASTER CONSERVATION
Apethorpe Hall: English Heritage
Apethorpe Hall is a country house dating back to 1500. Following years of neglect the building is now owned by English heritage. The project featured:
Stone conservation
The repair of a 17th century equestrian sculpture on the gable end of the stable block. The sculpture had severe damage to the hind leg and tail leaving broken segmented fragments, these elements were re-fixed and the missing areas modelled up in clay and then repaired with an armature and lime mortar.
Cleaning and conservation works to the state room chimney pieces, this work involved delicate cleaning of surface dirt, repointing and selective remodelling missing details.
Plaster Conservation
The five Jacobean decorative plaster ceilings in the main state apartment rooms required the removal of modern paint layers. Extensive paint analysis had been carried out by English Heritage identifying any important existing layers. Trials were then carried out to establish the most sympathetic methods to be applied. Alex ran a small team and together they successfully completed the work.
The photos show details of the repair and cleaning.