Rare Suffolk ceiling restored
A team of conservationists is restoring the plasterwork on a 17th century Suffolk Ceiling. The rare work of art will then go on display at the Heritage Workshop Centre in Lowestoft.
The ceiling was built at a farmhouse at Stoven near Halesworth in the 1600s. In the 1970s it was moved to a garage when the farmhouse was demolished; it has been hidden away there for the past forty years.
– Fiona Kelsey. Senior Conservator, Cliveden Conservation Ltd."It's a really lovely example of 17th century Suffolk plaster-work. A lot of this has obviously been lost in the last 300-400 years, so it's a really important piece of work."
The Suffolk ceiling is one of the few remaining examples of its type in such good condition. Another is at Sutherland House in Southwold; in the 1600s it graced the bedroom of the future King James II, now it's a hotel room.
Experts think the Lowestoft ceiling was made with the same moulds, and by the same people as the one in Southwold. And with a bit more elbow grease, the team hopes that come the autumn it'll also get its due.
Watch Olivia Paterson's report on the ceiling's restoration: