Past & Present Work

Project: Rococo Plasterwork at the Molineux Hotel
Client: Wolverhampton City Council
Architect: Donald Insall and Partners
Principal Contractor: Trumpers Ltd
Date: 2005

History
The Molineux Hotel was built at the beginning of the industrial revolution. It was famous in its time and was lavishly decorated with ornate plasterwork, sculpted by Italian craftsmen. One room is especially impressive and is one of the finest examples of Rococo plasterwork in Britain. A fire substantially damaged the building and water flooded in through the roof, leaving many rooms in a state of complete disrepair.

The majority of the plasterwork which covered both the walls and ceiling of the principal room, has been painstakingly cleaned and restored. Our part of the project was to remodel those areas that had been completely lost, taking guidance from what remained. Stylistically the decoration was extremely free and elaborate with swags, festoons and plinths laden with exotic fruit. We modelled the sections in our workshop using scale drawings and photographs as guidance.

Project

Drawing and photographic survey

Design of missing elements to match original

Trial clay models made of missing sections to ensure a good match

Sections free-hand modelled using an authentic recipe of marble dust and lime

Some sections mounted on site and shallow relief areas modelled in situ.

Modelling new section of frieze

Detail of original section

Re-modelling missing section