This plaster statue of St. Joseph and Child was structurally sound and had no missing or damaged parts, ie had been overpainted and now the statue required a redecoration in the original colours found. To obtain the colour information to repint the statue paint samples are taken from every element. These samples are then viewed under the microscope (see below left) and from here the colours can be matched.

It was clear from the raised detailing on the garment hems, cuffs and necklines that these had been originally ‘picked’ out with decoration. This was confirmed by the paint sampling process. All original colours and gilt detailing was reinstated.