Journal of Architectural Conservation Vol 29, No 1, March 2023

Two papers are worth highlighting in the Journal of Architectural Conservation Vol 29, No 1, March 2023. The first, by Hadas Rix and Steven Emmett, looks at issues of authenticity when conserving historic imitative crafts, particularly scagliola, Coade stone, marbling and graining, where their unique and original use was promoted and articulated between the end of the 16th and 19th centuries. The authors emphasise that the conservation of such materials can be compromised without a nuanced specific approach. They set out the fundamental differences between artificial materials and the imitation of surfaces to inform guidance for conservation policy. They make a good case for the skills of imitative crafts being protected to retain their cultural significance.

The second paper of interest, by Kate Jordan, is entitled ‘Victorian values, past and present, in the refurbishment of London’s historic churches’. The paper commences by looking at the influence of The Ecclesiologist on the restoration of countless medieval churches over the 19th century, ultimately leading to the foundation of the SPAB. Jordan suggests that a number of recent church re-orderings in London illustrate a great shift away from orthodox conservation principles towards creative restoration. The paper explores the factors that are influencing new approaches to church refurbishment, reading these against 19th-century debates on conservation and restoration. This is a particularly interesting paper for those involved with ecclesiastical work.

This article originally in the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC’s) Context 177, published in September 2023.

--Institute of Historic Building Conservation

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Conservation.
• Conservation area.
• Heritage.
• Historic environment.
• IHBC articles.
• IHBC.
• Listed buildings.
• SPAB.