Stone
Garden statuary presents particular conservation problems, especially when it is of marble, which weathers more rapidly in a northern climate than in the milder Mediterranean where it was so often quarried.
Every year outdoor sculpture is cleaned and inspected for signs of deterioration. Certain items are covered during the winter to prevent saturation and consequent frost damage. Conserving statuary and garden ornaments affords the opportunity to provide substantial hidden fixings and, where appropriate, electronic alarms in order to prevent theft.
Metalwork
From silver door locks and ornamental fingerplates to firedogs, polished steel grates and wrought iron gates, metal plays an important role in the ornamentation of most houses and gardens.
Metal, particularly lead statuary, can also rapidly degrade out of doors. Regular inspection is necessary to detect any sign of decay at the earliest stage. Metal gates and railings will rust if their paint layers break up and rain penetrates, and only meticulous maintenance can prevent this.
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