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A monument to Warden Woodward has recently been under the care of conservator Antonia Hockton. In order to preserve it for generations to come, she has given it a light clean and repair.

Residing in ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Chapel, this wall monument is comprised of three different stones, each requiring a different cleaning process. There are past surface treatments which can present problems, as with time they cross link and become insoluble. The majority of the carving and mouldings are in English alabaster. The quality of the two cherub carvings shines through and was likely to be the work of one of the 17th century’s top sculptors, though no signature has been found.

The central figure of Warden Woodward is of white marble and again carved in intricate detail. His signet ring on the little finger has a shield carved on it and he has a fine set of veins across the back of his hands, which any medic would be grateful for.

What is surprising is how little damage the delicate carving has sustained. Antonia has put back the tips of two missing fingers on the cherubs and a few of the fine drapery folds in the lower section. One finger she restored when curious fingers tested the fragile stone to see if it would break. It did! Luckily the guilty party left the bits below before they scuttled off and Antonia was able to refix them.

Now in her 28th year of working for Dr Michael Burden, Antonia has used her knowledge of stone to preserve many monuments and statues and carve two new pieces for ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ. Having a programme of restoration is so important to preserve for the future the historic information these monuments hold. Unlike in a museum, college requires its ancient stonework to continue to impart the events that punctuated its history and new work to celebrate the present day. 

Hear from Antonia Hockton as she lays out some of the fine and intricate details notable on the Warden Woodward monument.