Hall Conservation

07/03/2026

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18/07/2025

Hammers, in the form of a stone tied to a stick, first appeared over 30,000 years ago. As one of the oldest devices still in use today for tasks requiring significant impact, the hammer has evolved into many forms tailored to specific tasks.

In our forge, virtually nothing is made without the use of a hammer. Blacksmiths worldwide successfully use hundreds of different shapes and sizes of hammers. While some are purchased, many are forged by the smiths themselves. As a shop that undertakes a wide variety of complex work, we possess and utilise hammers of all shapes and sizes.

You can see our blacksmith Colm’s favorite set of three hammers in the image. The middle one is his most favoured due to its front-loaded weight, which he particularly appreciates.

06/06/2025

28/05/2025

07. Needle-nose Pliers

Needle-nose pliers otherwise known as long-nose pliers and snipe-nose pliers, are both cutting and holding pliers used by conservators, artisans, jewellery designers, and other tradesmen to bend, re-position and snip wire. Their namesake long nose gives excellent control while the cutting edge near the pliers’ joint provides “one-tool” convenience. Because of their long shape they are useful for reaching into small areas where materials have become stuck or unreachable with fingers or other means.

23/05/2025

Here you can see Babs, Workshop Windows Supervisor, working with putty on the glazed window panels. The putty is used traditionally and is known for its flexibility and durability. The process involves:

👆Apply Putty: Rolling the putty in the hand to make it warm and malleable, then pushing it into the groove between the glass and the frame, paying attention to the corners to ensure a tight seal.

👆Shaping: Using a putty knife to smooth the putty, ensuring that it’s level with the inside of the frame and creating a good seal. Here Babs is cleaning up the line.

👆Cleaning: Scraping away traces of excess putty from the glass using a handmade copper tool which smooths and angles the putty.

👆Polishing: A lint free cotton cloth is used to polish up the glass

👆Drying: The putty is left to dry for at least 14 days to ensure it is completely dry

21/05/2025

We would like to introduce you to Joanna Williams, a talented artist blacksmith with whom we’ve had a wonderful creative partnership for the past 13 years.

It was a pleasure to recently sit down with Joanna to discuss her artistic journey in preparation for a short Q&A interview. You can read the interview here, and whilst you’re there, please take a moment to scroll through and see photos of Joanna at work in our forge, as well as two examples of her own beautiful pieces from .

15/05/2025

A quick update on the restoration of the Buxton Memorial Fountain roof. Conservator Maddie and painter Matt are pictured here collaborating on the painted metal panels.

The Buxton Fountain in Victoria Tower Gardens is a Grade II listed memorial to Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton, a significant social reformer and abolitionist. The fountain, designed by Samuel Sanders Teulon with input from Buxton’s son, Charles, was erected in 1885-6.

We have carefully dismantled the roof, which is constructed of enamel panels, as part of our conservation efforts.

Our approach to conserving the Buxton Memorial Fountain is detailed and systematic, focusing on maintaining its historical and artistic value.

After thoroughly cleaning the painted panels and conducting a comprehensive analysis of each paint color, Maddie and Matt are developing a conservation treatment plan. Our analysis indicates that the white and light blue paints have experienced the most degradation. Following discussions with our client about the proposed methods, they are now determining the most effective way to carry out the approved work.

12/05/2025

06. ThermaTech

Here is one of our most valuable tools for conservation work, the ThermoTech. We use it almost daily for a variety of tasks, including removing dirt, staining, old oil-based paints, loose corrosion products, wax, and other surface debris from historic artifacts.
The ThermoTech is a fantastic piece of equipment because it was specifically designed with environmental and user considerations in mind. It’s also easy to transport and maneuver on different job sites.

It’s interesting to note that historic decorative ironwork was almost always painted, typically with a white lead-based linseed paint that was pigmented to achieve the desired colors. Many of the colors used on historic iron are associated with the aesthetic of the time, such as iron/lead grey, bronze/invisible greens, smalt, buff/cream, and gilding. Remains of these coatings can often be found beneath more modern coatings. Containing important historic and archeological information.

With skill and specific understanding, it is possible to remove modern Alkyd paints while leaving historic paints intact. This gives three advantages:

- Maintains original fabric
- Reduces the risk to operatives and the environment, by keeping the lead paint undisturbed.
- As traditional lead paints offer the best protection for ironwork, it continues to protect.

You can see the ThermoTech being used in our work at Tower Hill.

25/04/2025

Sharing insights into the work of Lara, a valued member of our specialised leadlighting team. She is currently involved in the heritage conservation of windows.

Lead work is critical to this project. In the attached image, Lara is stretching the lead came. After determining which quarries need replacement, she uses a fid to open the stretched lead, carefully fitting and bedding the replacement restoration glass.

The final image shows the finished windows from the Grade 1 listed building.

22/04/2025

Introducing Aimee, who joined our metalworking team a couple of months ago.

Aimee has quickly become an integral part of the team, bringing a wonderful blend of creativity, curiosity, and a positive attitude.

Scroll down to read our Q&A interview with Aimee and see her in action in the metal fabrication room, using the MIG welder, and showcasing her sculpture at a group exhibition at the Photobook Cafe.

17/04/2025

Brian Hall, our Director, is back at the forge, crafting the bars for the brutalist-style gate we’re creating in partnership with Jinny Blom Studio.

Our collaboration with Jinny Blom Studio has evolved into a special symbiotic relationship, thanks to the many creative partnerships we’ve developed over the years. With thanks to Blom and her team at the studio