The Road to Restoration Continues

Members may recall, from the Trinity 2019 issue, the painstaking removal of the overmantle woodcarvings, attributed to Grinling Gibbons, which had sat above the fireplace in the Parliament Chamber. The carvings had been pinned to the oak panelling causing splits. Over time they cracked and split further as they could not expand and contract freely. This caused further cracking and splitting which necessitated further pinning and yet more damage.

After months of meticulous restoration, we are delighted to see the beautiful woodcarvings restored to their former glory by the Carvers and Gilders. Broken and missing pieces have been repaired or recarved and the wood cleaned to bring the beautifully restored woodcarvings back to good health, ready to take pride of place again when we return to the Treasury Building.