The Browne Clayton Column is a unique landscape structure and a remarkable feat of engineering. Constructed in 1839 its capital contains projecting stones that form the acanthus leaves and volutes of the capital, weighing approximately one and a half tones. It also contains an internal staircase making it the only accessible monumental column ever constructed in the Corinthian style. The column was badly damaged by a lightning strike in 1995. A hole, measuring three meters high by one meter wide near the top of the column left the structure unstable and in danger of collapse.
An extensive survey was carried out, after which it was concluded that the only repair solution was to take down the damaged portion and re-build it using the carefully salvaged stones. Following a three phase restoration programme consisting of (1) scaffold, survey and prop; (2) take down damaged section, the capital and approximately 25% of the shaft; and (3) rebuilding. Remarkably only four new carved stones were needed and ingenious masonry repairs were carried out to several damaged stones to minimise the quantify of introduced fabric.
The Browne Clayton Column is a unique landscape structure and a remarkable feat of engineering. Constructed in 1839 its capital contains projecting stones that form the acanthus leaves and volutes of the capital, weighing approximately one and a half tones. It also contains an internal staircase making it the only accessible monumental column ever constructed in the Corinthian style. The column was badly damaged by a lightning strike in 1995. A hole, measuring three meters high by one meter wide near the top of the column left the structure unstable and in danger of collapse.
An extensive survey was carried out, after which it was concluded that the only repair solution was to take down the damaged portion and re-build it using the carefully salvaged stones. Following a three phase restoration programme consisting of (1) scaffold, survey and prop; (2) take down damaged section, the capital and approximately 25% of the shaft; and (3) rebuilding. Remarkably only four new carved stones were needed and ingenious masonry repairs were carried out to several damaged stones to minimise the quantify of introduced fabric.
