38 C O N T E X T 1 2 4 : M A Y 2 0 1 2 Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest. An existing lodge, situated in the Royal Hunting Forest of Enfield Chase, had been converted into a miniature villa by Sir William Chambers for the physician Sir Richard Jebb. George III had given Jebb the land in 1777. Sir Edward Sassoon MP, a banker, bought the estate in 1908. His son, Philip Sassoon, rebuilt parts of the house with architect Philip Tilden, and laid out new gardens. The house became a focus for lavish entertaining attended by royalty, politicians, and stars of stage and screen. The mansion ultimately became Middlesex University and the parkland a public country park. The NationalTrust approached Middlesex University in the late 1990s about returning the statues to Stowe. The earlier removal of the statues from Stowe had been a significant loss to the estate. Several sculptures had already been returned and their installation, at their original locations, had transformed the understanding and interpretation of the garden. Stowe is considered to be the birthplace of the English landscape style, which was to influence the development of gardens nationally and internationally. The GrecianValley was created in the mid 1740s by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, head gardener from 1741 to 1751. It was noted for the combined effect of buildings and landscape. The statues were to be conserved by the NationalTrust and relocated at Stowe on permanent loan, with replicas replacing the originals atTrent Park.The NationalTrust commissioned Inskip & Jenkins Architects to secure the statutory consents and Rupert Harris Conservation to undertake the works. The National Trust began discussions with Enfield Council and the local conservation group.The scheme raised a number of issues. The statues enhanced the landscape and setting of the listed buildings inTrent Park. While copies would maintain the landscape there would be a loss of archaeological integrity and authenticity to Enfield’s heritage. The statues and pedestals were in a poor condition and vulnerable.Middlesex University needed assistance in the restoration process (the university has funded the restoration of other sculpture on the HAR register). The proposal was seen as the best hope of securing preservation. Copies would be more robust and security needs would be lessened. Arguably the statues would make a greater contribution, and be better interpreted and appreciated, at Stowe. Consideration was given to the quality of the replicas in terms of casting material. Lead, the original material, was more expensive than resin and more vulnerable to theft or superficial surface damage.The statues had originally been painted with oil-based paint to look like marble. Consideration had to be given whether to replicate the original stone effect coating.Was it appropriate for the statues to appear as new or retain the appearance of gentle distress derived from the patina of age? The statues would have to go through a process of de-listing and re-listing at the respective locations. Similarly the two local councils involved would need to give listed building consent and planning permission respectively. Listed building consent was granted in 2001. Numerous conditions were imposed securing the subsequent approval of details ranging from the dismantling process through to the finish of the replica statues and project timescale. Funding, legal transfer documentation and insurance took a very long time to secure. Ultimately, the decision was taken to reverse the scheme.The originals were now to be repaired and returned to Trent Park with copies made for Stowe and the costs shared between Middlesex University and the National Trust. Enfield Council treated the revised scheme as like-for-like repairs. The statues were removed for repair in July 2011.They were craned off the plinths (using soft lifting strips), foam packed for protection and secured into metal crates for transportation. In the workshop apertures were cut into the statues and the original sand and brick core material removed. The rusted wrought iron armatures were replaced in stainless steel.The stainless steel supports were held in place by poured lead blocks which spread the weight to prevent surface distortion at these loading points. The cut-out sections were replaced, lead welded and worked back to match the original surface.A mould was made for the missing parts of the statue such as Samson’s jawbone club (using other copies of these statues as evidence for this) and replacements cast in lead. Once repaired, a silicon rubber mould was made, with a glass fibre casing.The replicas were cast in reinforced polyester resin with fine-pigmented powders to simulate lead. The statues are due to be returned to their respective homes by early summer of 2012, when they can be admired again in their full glory. Hercules and Antaeus ChristineWhite is heritage officer at the London Borough of Enfield. Rupert Harris is a conservator-restorer with Rupert Harris Conservation.
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