Brasses, often set in stone slabs, were a form of funerary monument typically employed from the late 13th to the 19th centuries, peaking in popularity in England between about 1300 and 1650. They present several conservation challenges.
Ledger slabs in church floors they can be subject to wear and tear from foot traffic and can be affected by moisture in the surrounding stone.
They can be vulnerable to theft if the fixings become loose. Bat excreta can also present challenges.
Monumental brass conservation is a specialist field in its own right and for many years its leading conservator has been William Lack ACR. From 2014 until his untimely passing away in 2019 William worked closely with Skillingtons, and continuing his good work – trading as Skillington Lack – we are regularly undertake commissions for works to monumental brasses of all ages.
Conservation of the brass memorial to Florence Cornwallis, from St Mary the Virgin Church, Saffron Walden, Essex
Conserved brass memorial to Florence Cornwallis, from St Mary the Virgin Church, Saffron Walden, Essex
Monumental brass to Beneit Engliss from Nuffield Church, Oxfordshire, during conservation
Conserved brass memorial to Florence Cornwallis, from St Mary the Virgin Church, Saffron Walden, Essex
Monumental brass to Beneit Engliss from Nuffield Church, Oxfordshire, following conservation
Detail from a monumental brass at Tisbury Church, Wiltshire, conserved during 2024-26
Monumental brass from Monken Hadley church, Barnet, during conservation
Conserved monumental brasses from St Nicholas' Church, Kingston upon Thames, before reinstallation
Memorial brass in Halsall Church, Lancashire, before conservation
Memorial brass in Halsall Church, Lancashire, after conservation
Conserved monumental brass from Great Bromley church, Essex
Monumental brass from Great Bromley church, Essex, before conservation
Monumental brass from Great Bromley church, Essex, before conservation
Detail from deteriorated monumental brass from Great Berkhamsted church, Hertfordshire, before conservation
Detail from deteriorated monumental brass from Great Berkhamsted church, Hertfordshire, after conservation
Monumental brass inscription, before conservation
Monumental brass inscription, after conservation
Monumental brass to William de Lound from St Oswald's Church, Althorpe, Lincolnshire, before conservation
Monumental brass to William de Lound from St Oswald's Church, Althorpe, Lincolnshire, after conservation
