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Conservation of the Congress of Vienna Chairs, Mount Stewart
Project management
Procurement of specialists, dismantling of the chairs, documentation, organising transport to the textile studio, researching and recreating silk green to produce protective case covers, and governance reporting to The Wolfson foundation were among some of the responsibilities.
Date
2018
Location
Mount Stewart, Norfolk, Belfast.
Condition & Treatment
Frames
The chair frames, constructed in beech with gesso and gilt leaf, exhibited instability due to movement in seat rails and back legs. Extensive damage to the gesso layer and missing mouldings were noted. Frames were repaired where necessary, and losses replaced. .
Gilding
Gilding was enhanced through re-gilding areas of complete loss, and major chips and damage were made good. A level of abrasion and evidence of use was retained to reflect the age and history of the chairs. The conservator cleaned the gilding, consolidated exposed white ground with rabbit-skin glue, and applied new gold leaf in line with the original pattern.
Textiles
Textile conservation was undertaken at the specialist studio at Blicking. Senior conservators led the work, supported by interns who gained valuable experience in needlework techniques.
The main seat and back covers, composed of wool and silk needlework on linen canvas, were heavily soiled with ingrained dust and exhibited staining and silk loss in heraldic motifs. Each cover was removed and cleaned using dry, spot, and wet cleaning techniques to eliminate acidic and abrasive particles. Conservation significantly brightened and enhanced the colours. Raw edges were netted, vulnerable silk supported with structural linings, and lost silk areas affecting design clarity were replaced with hand in-fill stitching.
Engagement
Organising an open day with guest speakers to include the curator and specialists conservators working on various elements of the project. The presentation explained the significance of Castlereagh, British ambassador , integral in the treaty, and the diplomatic gifts he received.
As Project Manager, I led the conservation of 22 historic chairs gifted to Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, following the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815). These diplomatic gifts are of exceptional international significance, reflecting the cultural and political history of early 19th-century Europe.
My role encompassed strategic planning, procurement, and management of specialist conservators for multiple elements of the project, including textile and gilded furniture conservation. To enhance public engagement, I coordinated conservation work within the Mount Stewart studio, enabling visitors to observe the processes firsthand. Textile conservation, undertaken off-site, was documented through time-lapse photography, which was displayed in the studio alongside live furniture conservation, offering a unique behind-the-scenes experience.
This project not only preserved items of global historic importance but also highlighted their cultural value to a wide audience, combining technical excellence with innovative interpretation.
