THE ceiling in one of the grandest rooms of a Grade I listed has been painstakingly restored after it was damaged by a water leak.
Over the winter, conservator Charles Hesp and his assistant Joshua Clavery visited Tabley House, off Northwich Road, to repair the 'clouded' ceiling in the Gallery, which is painted to resemble a sky.
Used for weddings and events, the Gallery is the grandest of the state rooms at Tabley - a Palladian style house built by John Carr in 1767.
Clare Pye, the chairman of the Tabley House Collection - which manages the museum and gallery - said: "We can all relate to the damage that even a small leak of water can cause, and Tabley is no exception.
"A clouded ceiling was fashionable in Regency times and was created to give the impression the ceiling was higher than it actually was.
"To our knowledge Tabley’s clouded ceiling was completed in 1814 by a Knutsford painter and decorator who charged thirty shillings for his work."
Charles and Joshua spent several days at Tabley to restore the ceiling - more than two centuries after it was completed.
Their first task was to remove the damaged paper, having first digitally recorded the design of ‘the sky’ in that area.
Next fresh white paper was applied, followed by the painstaking mixing of paints so that they exactly matched the rest of the ceiling. Using the photographs as reference they then skilfully repainted ‘the sky’.
"We are delighted with the result," added Clare. "Most visitors will admire the ceiling not realising what amazing work has been carried out, which in itself is testament to the extraordinary work of Charles and Joshua."
Anyone wishing to see for themselves the restored ceiling, the State Rooms and the Collection will open for the 2023 season on Thursday, March 30.
Normal opening times are Thursdays through to Sundays (plus bank holiday Mondays) from 1pm until 5pm with last entry at 4.30pm.
Admission is £7 for adults and £3 for children or students with a card. For further information call 01565 750151, email enquiries@tableyhouse.co.uk or visit the website tableyhouse.co.uk.
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