Repairing my grotesque
9 May, 2025 – 7:36 pmBack in 2022, I met the engagement officer from the Maison Dieu in Dover at the start of their re-awakening project, I couldn’t have known how many events I would become involved with as their stonemason in residence.
Over the Summer of 2023, I spent my days at a variety of events carving a two thirds scale replica of a lion grotesque from the stone hall at the historic Maison Dieu in Dover. https://www.maisondieudover.org.uk/.
I took loads of photos, measurements, and rough sketches and from these, I made scale drawings and templates to work from.
From these templates, I started work and the general public could watch my progress.
My carving was unveiled at St Mary’s Church in Dover in July 2023.
It remained on display at Dover Museum and at various events, the rubbing plaque came out on the road with me for youngsters to take rubbing from.
These are now in pride of place at the Maison Dieu which is set to re-open on Saturday 10th May.
Just over 10 days ago, I had a call from the Maison Dieu, giving me the terrible news that my beastie had been damaged at the hands of an inexperienced person charged with creating the base for both of my carvings.
As a traditionally trained stonemason, repair and conservation is a large part of my business, but no two repairs are the same. After careful consideration, I came up with a solution which would require another piece of stone. Thankfully Martin, the engagement officer was able to bring me a piece from the restoration project.
The first thing I needed to do was saw away the damaged portion of the stone. I had to be cautious around his foot as this could easily be damaged when the stone drops, this is why I decided to finish the sawing with him on his back, as in picture 3.
I was brought a piece of stone, that was destined for the building but was surplus to requirements, I wanted to preserve and show-off this lovely bit of moulding, that someone had already carved. Bath Stone is particularly difficult to saw and mason, not because it is hard, but because it has a lot of fossils and veins of calcite that are harder than the stone. Once I had drawn the mitre line around the moulded area, I sawed through this area to preserve the shape. I would mason off the rest with my hammers and chisel.
My idea was to cut a check (v-cut) out and set in the Grotesque with stainless steel threaded bars and lime mortar.
The dimensions drawn on the stone were for the box frame that it would sit in. Unfortunately due to the very short amount of time that I had to complete this repair, I forgot to take photos of the stainless steel dowels in position.
As you can see this was a very successful repair, but it now weighs a lot more than before. This was one of the reasons for carving him as a 2/3rds scale version, he was easy to carry around at the various events. I think you’ll agree that he looks splendid on his new plinth.
As you can see, he is sitting nicely on his display table and you are welcome to touch him. The plaque just needs some paper and crayons and it will be ready.
I will be at the Maison Dieu tomorrow (10th May) demonstrating my skill, I will be channelling my Medieval predecessor Agnes Ramsey.
