Director Alan Lamb
Joinery and fine woodwork
Case studies
New College Oxford - Dining Hall
Client - New College, Oxford University
Over five hundred early 16th century carved oak panels were
disassembled from their framing to allow the repair,
consolidation and re-backing of decayed panels and frames.
The sections were then reassembled and refitted to new oak
grounds set into the 14th Century stonework of the hall. Paint
samples from fragments of 16th century polychrome were
taken from crevices in the stripped and badly over-painted
heraldic blazoning, and paint analysis used as a reference to
restore the original colour scheme. C20th bronze painted
details were oil gilded.
Left: The Dais screen and panel repairs. Right: crude C20th
over-painting and a paint sample board referenced to older
work on the screen.
Uppark House
Client -The National Trust
During the architectural phase of the project, multiple carving
repairs to window and door architraves, shutters, cornice
modillions and mouldings were carried out.
During the fitting out phase, carving repairs to furniture,
picture frames and chimneypieces were undertaken, including
carving and gilding repairs to the Prince Regent’s Bed, major
replacement carving to John Bladwell’s scagliola topped
console tables in the stone hall and wheat ear picture framing
in the saloon.
Facsimiles were produced of a large gilded rococo mirror and
a parcel gilt console table for the Stone Hall. Also a replacement
mirror and chimneypiece for the Print Room and three other
heavily carved chimneypieces for the first floor bedrooms.
Knole House, Kent
Client -The National Trust
The large arched sash windows in the orangery
and ballroom were in poor structural condition.
The frames and sashes were removed, taken apart,
repaired and reassembled. Ferrous fixings were
replaced with stainless steel. The cylinder-blown
glass panes were carefully removed, catalogued and
replaced their original openings and repairs carried
out on the coloured glass spandrels. Missing bronze
fittings were reproduced and cast.
Other work at Knole includes joinery conservation
in the long gallery above the Great Hall, and the
reinstatement of decayed decorative woodwork
on the clocktower.
New College Chapel, Oxford
Client - New College, Oxford University
A three phase restoration of the chancel screen,
the choir panelling and the stalls. The woodwork
is a mix of C14th, C18th and C19th work. The
late 14th century carving is of high quality and
although stripped and refinished in the C18th
still exhibits traces of its original painting and
gilding. Phase one, the ante chapel chancel screen,
was completed in August 2010 and phase two, the
choir panelling in September 2012.
A condition report and treatment proposal were
prepared along with drawings mapping damage
and showing the scope of the proposed remedial
work. The woodwork was first carefully cleaned.
Missing elements of carving were replaced and
colour-matched. The finish was then refurbished
to a level that looked settled but well cared for, in
a manner that did not obscure or harm the traces
of early decoration.
Oriel College Oxford - Dining Hall
Client - Oriel College, Oxford University
Splits in the Edwardian oak panelling were repaired
and a section of missing panel cresting replaced.
Bronze painted detailing on the panel cresting and
on the roof bosses was oil gilded and polychromed
putti above the entrance doors were carefully
cleaned and the bronze painting on these was gilded.
The badly scuffed floor and paneling finishes were
refurbished.
Swan Farm Studios Ltd
