The White Hart Hotel, Lincoln

In the late spring of 2023 we had the privilege of reinstating the original decoration on The White Hart Hotel’s exterior clock surround. There has been an inn on the site of the hotel since the 15th century. It is right in the heart of Lincoln’s historic Cathedral Quarter, being close to the Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. The hotel has accommodated many notable and famous people throughout its history.

The clock is positioned on the corner of the hotel is visble from Bailgate and Eastgate. The clock surround is mounted on a pressed copper console and topped with a white hart (an adult male deer). The clock mechanism was removed and repaired by Smith of Derby whilst the restoration of the decoration was carried out.

Before any practical decoration is carried out the history of the decoration had to be determined. To achieve this paint samples are taken from various locations, these are viewed microscopically to understand paint layer procedures, colours and possible decorative schemes that have been applied throughout it’s history.

Investigations revealed that all parts of the clock surround was constructed of pressed copper. This had been painted twice in its history, the latter application being poor in choice of colour and paint type.

The results of the colour analysis provided information to recreate the original scheme. Usually this requires hand mixing the paints to achieve an exact colour match.

The stages of the restoration slowly revealed a beautiful and unique clock surround. The gilding added the final touch.

And finally, a large Hart who had also received the same treatment back in the workshop, returned to his original position on the top of the exterior reception canopy.