conservation of wooden panel from a Cheshire church

Parish churches often house unexpected treasures. The two German wooden panels from a Cheshire church are no exception.

The panels are a fine example of medieval polychrome (painted) limewood carving. Unfortunately, they had become obscured by years of dirt and a thick brown coating. They were also suffering seriously from woodworm damage that was threatening their structural stability. The quality of the painted surface could just be glimpsed beneath the thick coating.

treatment

Initially the reliefs were treated for woodworm, before any attempt was made to clean and conserve their surface. After the woodworm had been destroyed the reliefs were carefully swab-cleaned under magnification. Once the dark brown obscuring coat was completely removed, the extent of the highly decorative painted and gilded surface could be appreciated.

Panel after cleaning

Panel detail

A protective coating was then added to act as a barrier between the atmosphere and the paint layer. Finally the reliefs were placed in a climate control box, which was securely attached to the church wall to further buffer them against variations in the church environment.

back to the top | return to sculpture conservation case studies gallery