Conservation, Conservation, Conservation . . .

By Gareth Williams, Curator to the Weston Park Foundation

Just what is is happening behind the scenes at Weston Park? Next week we are looking forward to a visit from the Hamilton Kerr Institute from Cambridge who visit us every year.  Dr Mary Kempski brings three students who spend the week working on the in-situ conservation of some of the masterpieces that hang at Weston Park. The transformations, as years of dirt are carefully removed, can be incredible, whilst for some works the change is imperceptible since the work has involved just the replacement of rusty nails in the frame with non-ferrous fittings.

This year we are opening up the experience of conservation to three interested groups and we would be thrilled to hear from you if you would like to consider bringing a group yourself next year.  This year's particpants will be welcomed with true Weston Park hospitality and have a seriously full-on day ahead of them.  The Weston Park Foundation is dedicated to the conservation of this property and these conservation days really give us the chance to show why and how we have to devote so much time to this monumental on-going task.

The groups will have a talk in the morning, followed by a viewing and discussion of the Hamilton Kerr Institute's work - which this year focuses on portraits on the Family Staircase.  Lunch will be a real treat prepared by Head Chef Guy Day and his team which will fortify the group before they set off on a tour of the House which will examine how a great collection like ours is cared for. They will see the recent work of furniture conservators who have been working on the Main Staircase and on the Regency mahogany china cabinet which dominates the Marble Hall.

We will also discuss some 'asbent friends' that are still away for conservation, including a group of works on paper, some of the china collection, two magnificent George III mahogany side tables that are normally to be seen in the Dining Room and some items that have until now been in store but will make a first appearance on the Behind the Scenes Tours when they re-start this summer season.

The most sensational of the items currently away for restoration is an ivory veneered miniature bureau bookcase that was made at Vizagapatam on the East Coast of India in the late 18th century.  This glorious cabinet, which is highly unusual since it is decorated with colourful painted scenes, was a Golden Wedding Anniversary gift to the 3rd Earl and Countess of Bradford from the 1st Duke of Westminster.  Its condition in the 21st century, though, has been rather sad with ivory losses and cracks caused by the introduction of central heating in the 1930's.  The Foundation has been extremely fortunate in receiving a generous grant from the Pilgrim Trust which has, at last, enabled the piece to be restored.

It is due back within the next month and will go on display in a small exhibition in the Granary Art Gallery.  Rianna Lane's works are currently showing in the gallery and will be followed by Russell Gilder and his wonderful landscapes.