Carved Elements From The House Of Lords Chamber

From Pugin’s roof a collection of carved elements from the House of Lords chamber ceiling restoration in the January of 1981.

These have been recently acquired directly from a personal collection, originally purchased from Sotheby's in the 90s by the previous owners.

Each section is hand carved likely in lime or pine, all would have originally been gessoed. One element has been stripped back and waxed unfortunately, the remainder either have their original oil gilt or gesso finish. By repute these carved elements adorned the air vents in ceiling, and work was debated in the house in April of 81 after a large section of the ceiling fell to the ground.

In 1981, discussions were ongoing within the House of Lords regarding the restoration of the Chamber ceiling. The ceiling's restoration was deemed a complex task, but the government was committed to preserving this Victorian craftsmanship. The House of Lords ceiling was known for its historical significance and beautiful design, making its preservation a priority.

Specifically, on April 30, 1981, a debate in the House of Lords focused on the government's proposals for restoring the Chamber ceiling. The government acknowledged the complexity of the task and the uncertainties that needed to be addressed, but emphasized their commitment to ensuring the preservation of this "marvellous example of Victorian craftsmanship" as part of the national heritage.

Additionally, there is a record in the Parliamentary Archives related to the House of Lords Restoration of the Chamber Ceiling, which dates back to January 1981 and is cataloged as PSA/30/1. This record provides further context to the ongoing efforts and discussions surrounding the restoration of the historic ceiling.

Sold as a collection, 6 sections in total

Large "S" 44/27/6cm
Smaller "S" 33/27/2cm
"R" 38/27/6cm
Grapes 30/27/6cm
"ii" 15/26/5cm
"iii" 34/27/6cm