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Hill Hall - Essex

Conservation of Elizabethan fireplace with redecoration and gilding of decorative elements

This important house was built between 1567-1577 by Sir Thomas Smith, a notable scholar and Tudor courtier.

The large pedimented stone chimney piece stands commandingly on the south wall of the Great Hall. The plaster bust within the tympanum is the only original decorative element. Two bucrania and five coats of arms, all low relief terracotta, were retrieved from other parts of the building and added at a later date. Other decoration on the fireplace is also made of terracotta.

There were numerous paint layers and samples were taken for analysis. Although structurally sound there were cracks in the pediment and left hand column. The serious fire which enveloped the house in 1969 caused much blistering to the paint and plaster.

Loose plaster and cement render was removed from the columns. The structural crack was strengthened with stainless steel pins and repaired with lime mortar and small pieces of brick. The columns were then replastered. Damaged paint was removed and cracks filled with lime mortar. An isolation layer of Paraloid B72 5% in acetone was applied to the surface of the stone. It was decided not to use lead paint and on specialist advice an oil based breathable paint. Classidur, was chosen with a flat finish like distemper. Damp proved to be a continuing problem in the columns and so after a two month period the paint was removed and limewash applied to these areas.

The decorative paint on the coats of arms, bust and bucrania were consolidated using Paraloid B72 10% in acetone. Once the scheme used in the 1910 restoration programme had been established this was used as a basis for redecoration using an acrylic paint as this was considered to be inert and reversible. Parts of these elements were also oil gilded using 23/4 carat Italian leaf.

Architect: Nick Hill, English Heritage