This early 20th century carved wooden rood and associated figures can be found at St. Nicholas Church, Skirbeck in Boston.  More information about the church can be found here.

Condition Assessment

The carved wooden construction and applied decoration of all parts are excellent and a show of quality craftsmanship. The left and right hand side figures are removable and sit upon to vertical dowels projecting from each plinth. The base of the central cross sits in a depression on the rood beam and is held in place by two horizontal dowels. Further support for the cross is supplied by two chains running vertically from the cross and secured to the ceiling.

The paint is a flat oil and the colour balance is harmonious. In part, all statues have had a glaze applied to aid light and shade, which is an important consideration when viewed from a distance, in this case approximately 25ft from the ground. All gilt surfaces had been oil gilded and varnished.

All areas assessed were found free from any insect infestation. All paint polychromed and gilt surafces were stable and had minimal damage and/or staining however all surface areas were extremely dirty. A thick build up of dirt and dust was found settled on all surfaces. This build up can hold moisture and could produce mould growth and potential staining.

All surface areas were to be cleaned and treated where necessary, including the cross and the supporting rood beam.

Access

Both smaller statues were removed from the rood beam to enable access to both sides of the central carving with a mobile scaffold tower. Approaching the access in this way is extremely cost effective saving time and and money.

Surface Cleaning

Before any cleaning is carried out all surfaces are tested for suitability and effectiveness of the process and any treatment applied is to be for the betterment whilst not comproming the overall long term stability of the object.

The removed statues were cleaned, treated and stabilised in the workshop. The results were effective. After the removal of the dirt and mould the original colours were exposed. The gilding had been varnished creating a barrier from the enviromment and any aqueous solutions, allowing for ease of cleaning. Both statues cleaned effectively and did not require any retouching of paint or any regilding.

The same treatment and process was applied to the rood statue and crucifix.

The rood beam cleaned effectively although it also required a small amount of retouching where it had suffered paint loss and/or abrasion.

It was not understood why the halo had wear and tear of the gilt surface. The halo was held in place by a single protrusion from the back of the head of Christ. The halo was removed and regilded on the raised cross only creating a contrast to the original glazed gilding on the recessed areas.

The completed rood and associated statues.