Conservation & Heritage Issue 52 Summer/Autumn 2026 - Flipbook - Page 61
see faces of statues without nose tips, or missing fingers and
toes, as weakened stone eventually detaches.
Scheduling regular inspections
Successful statuary management requires moving beyond
reactive repairs to proactive monitoring, enabling flaws and
weaknesses to be identified then treated. It is important to
note new cracks or fissures, and revisit existing ones to see
if they have enlarged. A conservation expert will help with
decisions on whether early intervention is required. Bear in
mind that when moisture penetrates these vulnerable areas,
it accelerates deterioration.
Attention also should be given to the surface condition to
identify rough, crystalline, sugary or crazed appearances
(a network of fine cracks in the glaze) and if carved details
display loss of definition or “nibbled” edges. These signs
indicate active deterioration, caused by wetting and drying
cycles which damage the surface of stone and marble as
salts and atmospheric pollutants in rainwater dissolve the
carbonate stone matrix.
A photographic record is invaluable for tracking changes
over time, developing repair methodologies and justifying
conservation budgets.
Essential preventive maintenance strategies
With proper planning and regular maintenance, the lifespan
of outdoor statuary and decorative stonework can be
extended and costly repairs avoided.
Regular cleaning
Undertaking a light clean serves a dual purpose: aesthetic
improvement and that all-important condition assessment.
Removing biological growth such as algae, lichen and moss
with a natural bristle brush and clean water will enhance
the appearance of the stone surface without causing damage.
This will also help remove corrosive bird droppings.
Landscape management integration
Manage the vegetation around your statuary, as overgrown
hedges and bushes can restrict air circulation and deposit
acidic organic matter on stone surfaces. Root systems can also
exert pressure on foundations and bases, causing structural
misalignment.
Removing soil from decorative urns and planters before
winter is recommended, as waterlogged soil undergoes the
same destructive freeze-thaw cycle, causing stone to cleave
and split. Also, ensure drainage systems around decorative
stone objects are functioning as standing water around bases
creates continuous moisture exposure that can accelerate
deterioration.
Fountains present a unique challenge, as even when water
systems are shut down for winter, rainwater continues the
destructive cycle. Cliveden Conservation recently stabilised a
historic marble fountain. Open joints and fissures were treated
with lime-based grouts and mortar repairs, meticulously
filling areas that might act as water traps. Bespoke protective
covers were designed and made by Cliveden Conservation to
protect the marble elements, thereby reducing the negative
impact of the winter season.
Protective covering systems
Winter covers provide effective protection for valuable
garden statuary during cold and wet conditions. The
key advantage lies in their reusability; properly designed
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