Late 18th Century English marble chimney-piece restoration

(formed from Italian Statuary and Sienna marbles with some later Edwardian elements)

The chimney-pieces had been stored uncrated for over thirty years and had accumulated considerable grime both on the surface and within the marble where soot from coal fires had penetrated many of the areas above the fireplace opening.
The discoloured wax was removed and much of the staining then removed by the means of poultice on a test and trial basis. Once completed, matching antique statuary marble was sourced for effecting repairs to the larger sections of mechanical damage that had occurred through wear and tear. These were spliced in squarely (in the Georgian manner) and retained in place with copper dowels and resin glue.
Some sections of the yellow Sienna marble veneer had been lost and matching marble was sourced to match those sections missing. The fluted pilaster columns of the Tuscan order were re-attached to each jamb panel and repairs effected where necessary. It was noted that these were of particularly fine quality having an entasis, and the whole fluted column and its socle having been constructed from one single piece of marble. The carved blockings were re-attached to their Sienna marble outgrounds and both elements relocated onto the architrave moulding.
Once completed, the chimney-piece was finished with a hard wax and delivered on site for installation. An Italian veined statuary marble slab at a depth of 1” was sourced to provide a suitable heart material, and the interior painted matt black on completion as a contrast to the polished finish of the marble.

Before (click image to enlarge)	Restored and installed (click image to enlarge)