The Friends of Oakworth (Holden) Park

Mosaics - main page
Mosaic restoration work in the park
New mosaics by the children from Oakworth Primary School
New mosaic panel

 

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 Work will commence on 31st October 2006 to restore the original mosaics on the floor of the grotto entrances.

The schoolchildren start the new mosaic design work on 7th November 2006



An application was made in early 2006 for a Local Heritage Initiative grant to restore the mosaics in the grotto entrances. This was successful, and part of the grant will involve Oakworth Primary School, where the children will help to design a new mosaic panel with local artist, Frances Taylor. This panel is planned to be installed on the wall under the raised walkway by the playground in the park. The children will also make their own small mosaic boards to keep.

Panoramic view - Click to enlarge in a new window) (71943 bytes)

Panoramic view of the grottoes showing the two main entrances. The panel for the new mosaic may be on the right of the picture under the raised walkway.
The original mosaics on the floor of the grotto entrances: Blank wall panels where the new mosaic may be installed:

Condition of the original mosaic - Click to enlarge in a new window) (69521 bytes)

One of the cement rendered panels where the new mosaic wall panels will be situated - Click to enlarge in a new window) (56282 bytes)

Condition of the original mosaic - Click to enlarge in a new window) (75146 bytes)

One of the cement rendered panels where the new mosaic wall panels will be situated - Click to enlarge in a new window) (60454 bytes)

Report from the contractors on the original mosaic floor panels:

The mosaic is obviously in need of some attention, made up of marble tesserae, and a likely fixing in a cement-based adhesive.
If it were older the fixing mortar / substrate would be in lime. 
Some of the mosaic has been lost and filled over to prevent further deterioration. 
One of the close-up images shows what looks like a missing patch to one of the round central motif’s, and the substrate seems to be quite close to the surface indicating there may not be much thickness (life) in the adjacent tesserae.
I would recommend the floor be cleaned to assess to full extent of the works and a thorough survey carried out.

The contractors recommended the following works to be carried out:

1. Thorough cleaning of entire mosaic, assess the extent of work.
2. Reduce the size of the mosaic where the substrate has diminished in order to achieve symmetrical patterns.
3. Form a new retaining edge and pack the substrate with rapid fix cement; seal to stop surface water filtering under the mosaic and “lifting” the substrate.
4. Carry out in situ repairs to missing marble tesserae, carefully prepare substrate and reinstate new marble mosaic from our stocks of salvaged, new material (colour-matched as closely as possible) and the original tiles saved from the reduction process; re-bed and leave to cure.
5. Flood grout (consolidate) any detached areas of mosaic to prevent further loss.
6. Rake out and apply new grout where necessary.
7. Thoroughly clean by hand and machine using nylon pads, rinse, and dry.
8. Apply impregnator sealer (and polish depending on location) to a medium hardwearing lustre.

 

If you have any questions or comments, please email the site webmaster Andy Wade