 |
Britannia employs the skills of local blacksmiths who are experienced in dealing with most aspects of hand made wrought iron including the conservation and/or restoration of true wrought iron and where necessary its replication. This coupled with the Company's capabilities with cast ironwork enables Britannia to offer a fullmetalwork restoration service. The Company's philosophical approach to metalwork restoration is similar to the SPAB's philosophy of minimal intervention. However, where appropriate Britannia can undertake the manufacture of exact replica work.
|
|
| Re-hanging the gates to the Temple Bar after restoration | ||
 |
||
| Rebuilding Leas bandstand in Folkstone | ||
 |
||
| New replica railings for the Holborn Memorial | ||
| Case Studies | ||
 |
The ‘Burning Bush Lamp post - Eton The burning bush is a very elaborate listed wrought iron lantern belonging to Eton College which was so highly corroded that the wrought iron flower heads, which are such a distinctive part of the original design, had been completely been eaten away, hence the blacksmith had to re-make the flower heads interpreting the original design as best he could based solely on historical evidence from old photographs. |
|
 |
Albion Place Leeds This very interesting contract completed over 20 years ago is unique in that the original church hall building was converted into a shopping centre and the Architect took the opportunity to use the old bell tower to become the extract flue for the new boiler system. The original tower had louvers and gargoyles made from timber which had to be replaced with non combustible metal and hence Britannia was called on to design and supply new cast aluminium gargoyles and steel louvers. |
|
 |
Balustrade – Sumner Place London SW1 The balustrade to the lower flight of stairs shown in the photograph was removed around fifty years ago and replaced by a stud partition. When the building was recently restored to its original condition Britannia was called upon to make exact replica balusters and a newel post to replace the missing lower flight. |
|
 |
Shoreditch Church St Leonard’s Church, Shoreditch was modelled in the style of Christopher Wren by George Dance the Elder in 1736. The heavy cast iron railings in front of the church which are listed grade 1 are a rare example of early eighteenth century cast iron railings similar to those around St Pauls Cathedral. Nevertheless a section of the railings was removed during the war and had to be replaced with exact replicas. |
|
 |
The Royal Geographical Society This project involved the replacement of wrought iron railings and gates removed in 1941 for the war effort. The project completed in 1992 and unveiled by Prince Charles required the new railings to be as near to being exact replicas of the originals designed by Norman Shaw and listed grade 11, as was possible using the photographic evidence available. |
|
| In addition to the projects illustrated Britannia has been involved in numerous other interesting projects over the years | ||
 |
Back to the top | |