Princess Alexandra

Overview

The marble statue of Princess Alexandra undergoes repairs after she was damaged by vandals in early February 2024.

ICS was engaged by Murrindindi Shire Council to undertake repairs to the marble statue of Princess Alexandra after she was damaged by vandals in early February 2024.

The statue, located in Leckie Park in the town of Alexandra, Victoria, was sculpted by Charles Summers and is one of a group of four royal portraits that once greeted visitors in the foyer of the old National Gallery of Victoria.

Happily, in June 2024 the head of the statue was found by Council staff in good enough condition to be reinstated, forgoing the need to sculpt a new replacement head.

Year

2024

Client

Murindindi Shire Council

Services

  • Sculpture
  • Public Art

Awards

Condition

  • The head had possibly been submerged in mud and or water which caused significant organic staining
  • Some losses, particularly to the hair bun
  • Minimal losses at the neck break line

Treatment

  • Cleaned with water by hand
  • Poultices applied to reduce staining
  • Losses to the bun, ear, and drapery were modelled in tinted mortar to match the marble
  • The losses to the bun were reattached with epoxy supported by doweling rods
  • The head was reattached to the neck supported by a dowel and epoxy before being securely strapped to set overnight
  • Losses to the hand, ear and hair were remodelled with tinted epoxy putty
  • The entire statue was cleaned with water and soft brushes before being coated with biocide to reduce future biological growth and staining of the stone

Before treatment

After treatment

Testimonial

Close-up of two orange terracotta figurines with white decorative patterns, one facing forward and the other in profile.

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