Historic mosaics are a precious part of a building’s character. Whether set into a church wall or a castle floor, such features often reflect a level of craftsmanship that’s difficult to replicate. If you are looking to restore or conserve a mosaic in a place of interest or worship, using skilled and experienced craftspeople is crucial. We look at what you need to know when it comes to finding suitable mosaic restoration services for historical buildings.
Check Credentials, Experience and Approach
Always choose an established mosaic restorer with an excellent reputation in all areas of mosaic design, restoration and conservation. They need to be able to carry out sympathetic conservation and restoration for a wide range of historic mosaics. Ask them to share examples of similar commissions they have worked on. Also, ask them to explain their restoration process, approach, and their craftspeople’s skills to give you full confidence.
A specialist mosaic restoration company should have the ability to carry out a condition survey and conservation report. Depending on the findings, certain permissions may need to be sought.
For most listed buildings, any work that could affect the mosaic will require Listed Building Consent. It’s worth speaking to your local conservation officer early in the process. They can establish whether the proposed works will affect the building’s special interest and what documentation you’ll need to support an application.
For churches, the equivalent step is to consult your diocesan advisory committee (DAC) and, where necessary, apply for a faculty (permission) before works begin.
Key Questions to Ask a Mosaic Restorer
When you engage a mosaic restorer, ask the following questions:
- Do they have the expertise to provide full restoration of a mosaic from a derelict state to a new condition for your type of building?
- Are they able to carry out a full, non-invasive condition survey and conservation report to accurately assess the works needed?
- Do they have all relevant insurances and accreditations to carry out the works?
- Will they use salvaged or sympathetic materials and suitable cleaning processes?
- Do they have access to the correct materials, such as salvaged ceramic, glass or marble tesserae?
- If necessary, are they able to fabricate and install replacement tiles in-house?
Your Historical Mosaic Specialists
The Mosaic Restoration Company is your historical mosaic specialist. Our skilled artisans have a combined experience of 100 years when it comes to restoring and conserving mosaics. We have our own workshop and studio where we can fabricate tiles as needed.
Our skilled team of mosaic artisans have one guiding principle: to preserve original materials as much as possible with minimum intervention. In most cases, stabilising and consolidating the existing tesserae is usually preferable to replacing tiles. Cleaning methods and mortars must be compatible with historic materials, as abrasive approaches can cause damage.
Our restoration projects include various church projects and high-profile public buildings such as Manchester Town Hall. See our noteworthy Projects, Gallery, and numerous Testimonials from our happy clients.
If you would like to discuss a mosaic restoration project for a historical building, please get in touch.
