HISTORIC PLASTER CEILING REPAIR

Project Overview
Fairfield House in Newbridge, Bath, is a grade 2 listed two storey ashlar villa in the Italianate style, built c1850 by the architect James Wilson. The house was the residence of Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, during the five years he spent in exile. Following his return to Ethiopia, he donated it to the city of Bath in 1958. An unexpected collapse led to the loss of almost two thirds of the staircase hall ceiling. Bath & North East Somerset Council invited Cliveden Conservation to visit and advise.

Condition Assessment
After an initial appraisal, a full assessment was made together with an inspection of the salvaged cast and run plaster elements. Temporary fixings were then installed to prevent further losses until the scope was determined and full works could be instructed.

Conservation Treatment 
The philosophy of projects at the property involve retention of the maximum amount of the original material in order to retain the ‘spirit of place’. The salvaged ornament was collected and returned to the Bath workshop. Here localised paint removal was undertaken to allow repairs and replication of the enrichment.

With all replacement sections prepared, it was then possible to commence works on site. The remainder of the original ceiling was secured before additional strengthening works. New oak laths were fitted, base coat haired lime plaster was applied, followed by a second and final finish/skim coat. The enrichment was then set out and ribs/radial sections run to meet the old. Finally, the repaired and newly cast enrichment was then applied and secured with all joints filled and ‘stopped-in.’

Results
Cliveden Conservation Bath Workshop undertook high quality repairs, retaining and integrating the principal salvaged fragments. These were successfully incorporated into the overall scheme. Work was carried out whilst the property remained open to staff and visitors.

The decorated staircase hall ceiling has now been reinstated and welcomes people once again into the home of the former Emperor of Ethiopia.