Cherie's Place » Plasterwork http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog Random thoughts and photos of my journey through life… Sat, 02 May 2026 22:45:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Hardwick Old Hall – Plasterwork http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog/index.php/2010/08/05/hardwick-old-hall-plasterwork/ http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog/index.php/2010/08/05/hardwick-old-hall-plasterwork/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:04:38 +0000 CherryPie http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog/?p=3891 Hardwick Hall has an extensive set of Elizabethan plaster over-mantles. The reason these have survived despite the hall being open to the weather is because they each have a little roof over the top of them to throw the rainwater forward. They were first installed during a conservation campaign in 1911.

The Duke of Devonshire invited the experts at the Society for the preservation of Ancient Buildings to oversee essential repairs to the house, which was partially roofed. The repairs were meant to stand out, so they could not easily be confused with Elizabethan work. The distinctive tiles used to fill holes are still easy to spot around the house. The plaster protection roofs were also made of tiles, but they have now been replaced by lead. The plaster like the stonework was also heavily blackened by industrial soot, deposited by the region’s historic textile, coal and mineral activities. *

Routine monitoring of the condition of the plaster-work is a challenge, without floors to walk on; conservators have to use mountaineering ropes.

Looking Up

Giants Chamber

Plasterwork Montage

To view mosaic tiles in full size use the links below.

1. Top Left, 2. Top Right, 3. Middle Left, 4. Middle Right, 5. Bottom Left, 6. Bottom Right

*From the English Heritage Guidebook

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