Monthly Archives: August 2013

Mottisfont – beech circle

Doing the gilding outside on the Beech Circle was an interesting task. The wind was a bit of a problem. By the time we organised and put some covers the direction of the wind would change, it was an interesting game… we had to work and gild fast and try not to loose to much gold….

Patterns developed by the conservation team and volunteers, from detailed elements taken from the Whistler room, and transferred onto the living living and fallen trees. The patterns on the beech circle where gilded using dutch metal and the patterns on the fallen trees gilded using 23.5 ct gold leaf.

Mottisfont – install

Although there were some concerns if the trees, with its heavy tops, will stand up by themselves, the installation at Mottisfont when very smoothly. Just gets to show you once you have the right equipment and machinery everything is possible…..

Mottisfont – wood yard

The trees which John Surplice and me selected where moved by David Chase to the wood yard at Mottisfont. Within a week me and John with the help from Estate staff and volunteers had the trees prepared and ready for gilding.

mima – materials

Selection of materials for my final commission at mima’s garden.

Mottisfont – workshop

A days workshop with conservation team and volunteers in the “Shator”, learning the process of gilding.

Mottisfont – choosing the trees

Myself and John Surplice walking at Mottisfont Estate looking for fallen trees. The ancient woodlands are over 400 years old and in a semi-natural state due to man’s interventions. There are amazing estate walks that takes between 2 and 4 hours.