Located in Yorkshire, Brandsby Hall is Grade II Listed Georgian House built by Francis Cholmeley in the 1740’s. It is home to a beautiful ceiling canvas painted by the Crace company circa 1845 which, unfortunately, suffered quite extensive damage following an internal flood at the property. Britain & Co. were commissioned to carry out conservation and restoration works to the ceiling canvas.

The flood had made the ceiling structurally unsound and in some areas the full replacement of lath and lime plaster was required. In order to carry out a full survey and complete the repairs, the canvas needed to be removed entirely from the ceiling.

To start with, we had to ensure that no additional damage was caused to the canvas and transport it to our studio to undertake the restoration works. Japanese tissue was applied to the canvas to strengthen its integrity before it was removed from the ceiling in its original sections. The canvas was cut away from the cornice and moldings as these had been originally installed after the canvas.

The canvas was then transported back to our studio in East London using large-diameter tubes to minimise any further damage that may have been caused in transit.

All traces of glue and adhesive were removed from the rear of the canvas before it was cleaned and treated with any deteriorated holes being backed. Extensive work to consolidate and set back paint flakes was required. After treatment, the canvas was laid face-up in sections, the holes repaired and the first phase of retouching undertaken.

The canvas sections were then re-rolled and transported back to York to be installed onto the ceiling, to be hung by our experienced mural hanging team. Further touch-ups were completed to fully repair the damage and tears that had been caused due to the flood. 

Britain & Co. are very pleased with the end result, as was our client who reported that he was ‘delighted with the work that has been done’ and that ‘the ceiling looks amazing!’.