Society of Antiquaries metalwork displays

Client: The Society of Antiquaries, London, 2007

Archaeological metal objects, including a large prehistoric shield, a medieval cross, a Viking silver torc and a medieval gilt spur required conservation attention prior to a travelling exhibition and long term redisplay. They had been displayed over many years and some conserved in the past without treatment records surviving. Surface dirt was removed and some former coatings were replaced with stable reversible materials.

The shield had unsightly consolidated areas, but in consultation with the client, to reduce costs and risks to the shield, sound original fills and joins were retained, strengthening one unstable area of splitting. The objects were repacked if necessary. A new mount was made by professional mount makers working with a conservator to replace the cross's obtrusive non-archival mount and enable it to be displayed upright and to fit into cases at different venues.