Preserving the past
From conserving historic works of art and delving into archaeology to supporting urban heritage and parks, find out about our vital conservation work.
Conservation Week at Knole
- Published:
- 05 September 2024
Conservation Week at Knole: Monday 8 - Sunday 14 September 2025
During Conservation Week you can see the amazing work that goes on to care for Knole's collection in the showrooms alongside specialist conservation in the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
Conservation Week in the showrooms
The Collections and House Team will be working throughout the showrooms, demonstrating how they clean and conserve historic objects. Chat to the team and learn how they care for chairs that once belonged to King James I, artwork by 18th century European masters and wall paintings that have witnessed 400 years of visitors to Knole. Along the way uncover temporary displays that reveal secret drawers, long lost notes and hidden graffiti.
Monday 8 September: Metalwork survey by Sally Bowling, metal conservator
Sally will be carrying out a survey of the metal objects on display in the showrooms and assessing if any conservation work will be required in the future.
Monday 8, Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 September: Microfading tests in King’s Room by Kristie Short-Traxler, National Trust conservator - conservation science
These tests involve carefully exposing samples of historic objects to an extreme light source. The effects are monitored and by measuring the change we can determine exactly how sensitive different objects are to light exposure. This will help inform us how we look after these objects in the future.
Monday 8, Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 September: Textile cleaning
The Collections and House team will be undertaking cleaning in the showrooms throughout the week. Often this work is done when the showrooms are closed, so this is an opportunity to see the process and chat to the team as they clean textile covers.
Thursday 11 September: ‘Conservation Station’
Meet the Collections and House team in the Great Hall, where they will be talking to visitors about their roles, collections care processes and showing some of the tools and equipment that they use. by the house team.
Friday 12 September: Wall painting survey by Fiona Henderson, painted surfaces conservator
Fiona will be surveying the painted staircase walls, and assessing if conservation work will be required in the future.
Friday 12 September: Ballroom carpet clean
The Collections and House team will be conducting a condition survey and a clean of the carpet in the ballroom.
Throughout the week, some items of furniture will be opened up to reveal hidden details that aren’t usually on view, including secret drawers, long lost notes and hidden graffiti.
Great Stairs at Knole
Painted walls on the Great Stairs at Knole
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Conservation Week in the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
There'll be a different object in focus plus the opportunity to 'meet the conservator' 1-2pm.
Wednesday 10 September - damaged ceramics from Clandon Park:
Conservator Felicity will be working on the remedial treatment of ceramic objects damaged during a fire at Clandon Park in 2015. Many ceramics made by master craftsmen, for example Meissen, were broken into numerous tiny fragments. So far the project has involved hours of puzzling and piecing together fragments before cleaning and re-adhering the objects.
Thursday 11 September - portrait of Lieutenant Ourry and 'Jersey' by Joshua Reynolds:
Painting conservator Sarah will talking about the conservation being undertaken on this 18th century painting by Reynolds from Saltram in Devon. The painting is being surface cleaned and old varnish removed, before being revarnished and inpainted.
Friday 12 September - Vizagapatam cabinet and/or Attingham Suite:
Furniture conservators are working on two projects in the studio, and will be talking to visitors about the pieces and their work. The beautiful Vizagapatam cabinet from Kingston Lacy in Dorset, orignates from around 1760 from the indian port city of Vizagapatam (now Vishakapatnam). It is made from padauk and inlaid with engraved ivory. It is in the studio for repairs, cleaning and stabilising.
The suite of furniture from Attingham Park in Shropshire is in the studio for analysis as well as cleaning and consolidating. The pieces on display currently are a chest of drawers, or cassettone, and a chair, attributed to architect and designer Carlo Randoni.
Saturday 13 September - cabinet from Saltram in Devon:
Details TBC
Furniture conversation
Furniture conservator working on a cabinet in the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
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New for 2025 - Conservation Tours
Join Collections Assistant Harry for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the preventive conservation techniques used to care for Knole's collection.
The collection at Knole
Explore Knole's showrooms to see one of the rarest and most well-preserved collections of Royal Stuart furniture, paintings, objects and textiles – on show since 1605.
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio
Conserving and preserving our history for the future.
Knole’s furniture collection
Knole is home to some of the last surviving 17th-century furniture from Whitehall and Hampton Court Palaces, among the most expensive status objects of their time.
