I've started restoring a Celtic cross which was recovered from St John's Church Old Harlow. Prior to restoration the detail on the stone was almost unrecognisable, but it is becoming clearer after each treatment. I'm intrigued by the carvings on the stone - they do not appear holy, to me they look like something more macabre surrounded by the chevron detail. Masonic perhaps? Or maybe I've just watched 'The Exorcist ' too many times Another two treatments it should be good.
First completed piece is one I have been working on for a while due to the fragile nature of its composition. This pale alabaster plaque was recovered from the house of E Byrne Jones, prominent Victorian artist alongside William Morris and notable member of the pre Raphelite brotherhood movement. This piece warranted conservation as opposed to rigorous cleaning (which would have been destructive). Each week I have applied specialised cleaning agent (D2) with a long haired natural brush and literally massaged it into the stone applying minimal pressure. For tricky hard to reach areas I've used a cotton bud to remove traces of dirt. The majority of the dirt has been removed, and the colour is now much purer with less greening. Cracks are much less prominent because the dirt which had accumulated in the cracks has been removed.
'Torso', a notable piece of work by Henry Moore's long time assistant has been completed after two more treatments.
'City Landscape' by Christopher Dean has been completed, unfortunately I didn't take a 'before' photo (dopey git lol) but it was literally encased in black and white lichen prior to cleaning.
Photos below.
