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SJ Conservation

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Della Robbia-style wall plaque, ‘Madonna Adoring the Infant Christ’

Object
High-relief plaque on a wooden backing
Material
Tin-glazed earthenware
Collection
Church, Pimlico, London
Scope
Structural stabilisation and aesthetic reintegration in situ

Before

Della Robbia-style tin-glazed earthenware plaque before conservation, with misaligned joins and lifting fills.

After

Della Robbia-style tin-glazed earthenware plaque after conservation and restoration: re-bonded, filled and retouched.

Condition

Surface dirt, misaligned joins and loose sections from a failing earlier restoration, with lifting plaster fills; the backing remained stable.

Treatment

  1. 01Earlier restoration and lifting plaster fills removed.
  2. 02Loose joins and break edges consolidated with Paraloid B-72.
  3. 03Loose sections re-bonded.
  4. 04Losses filled and refined.
  5. 05Fills retouched with acrylic colours and a UV-stabilised gloss varnish to integrate with the glaze.

Process

Detail of misaligned joins and lifting fills on the plaque before treatment.
Before treatment: misaligned joins and lifting fills
Gloved hands mechanically removing failing plaster fills from the plaque.
Removal of failing plaster fills
Detail of the Della Robbia-style plaque after restoration, with retouched fills.
After treatment: detail

Outcome

The plaque was stabilised and returned to display while remaining mounted, balancing conservation aims with the constraints of the site.

Photographs: Sujin Jung.

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