Safeguarding Architectural Finery
The Burrell Collection in Glasgow has appointed Cliveden Conservation to help protect precious architectural pieces whilst the museum undergoes a four-year refurbishment and re-display of its collection. Both parties will work closely to dismantle or protect in-situ, a mixture of ancient stone and wooden structures.
The collection, named after its donor Sir William Burrell (1861-1958), is one of the greatest collections ever assembled by an individual, with more than 9,000 objects housed within a purpose-built Category A listed building.
Objects including stone doorways, niches, chimney pieces, wood panelling, choir stalls, and the intricate carved Bridgwater ceiling, will be dismantled by Cliveden Conservation before being catalogued and boxed or held securely by support frames.
Non-removable architectural features such as the Bridgwater roof beams, carved stone arches, 14th-century French window surrounds and the original Warwick vase will be protected in-situ by Cliveden Conservation. These items will be lined with insulation to withstand potential impact and emergency weather breaches.
Regular inspection of architectural features will take place and a data logger will be used to monitor environmental changes during the refurbishment. Works to modernise and enhance the museum's visitor experience will be carried out whilst retaining the architectural intent of the Category A listed building.
Duncan Dornan, Head of Glasgow Museums and Collections at Glasgow Life said: "The integration between collection and building is what makes the Burrell so unique. With the appointment of Cliveden Conservation, work has begun on the specialist protection and removal of the architectural stone and woodwork which is key to the refurbishment and renaissance of this world-class museum."
About The Burrell Collection
Bequeathed by the shipping magnate Sir William Burrell, the Burrell Collection is one of the world's finest treasure houses and includes Chinese porcelain, fine examples of Islamic art, and masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rodin, Manet, Degas and Cézanne.
The Collection will re-open in 2020 - Visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/burrell-collection/ for updates.
