Top award for £1m restoration treasure
A SPECTACULAR room at a public school on the Northamptonshire border was today chosen as a regional winner of Country Life’s Restoration of the Century award.
The Marble Saloon at Stowe School, near Silverstone, which has been restored as part of a £1 million refurbishment of the whole school, beat hundreds of other properties in the East of England to win the prize.
As part of the restoration work, sculptures, incense burners and lanterns were returned into the room’s niches for the first time in more than a century.
Work was also carried out to stabilise and repair plasterwork across the 55ft-high coffered dome and lost elements of the Roman frieze had to be remodelled by hand using the evidence of historic photographs.
The restoration was funded by the World Monument Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Robert Wilson Challenge, with the school matching donations and continuing to raise funds.
Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, headmaster of Stowe School, said: “We’re delighted to receive this accolade.
“The Marble Saloon is one of the most extraordinary rooms in the country and it lies metaphorically and geographically at the very heart of the school.
“The great sales of 1848 and 1922 left a tragic void in this majestic room.
“Now, thanks to this extraordinary restoration everyone, Stoics, staff, parents and visitors can once again enjoy this ‘British Pantheon’ in its original state.”
Quentin Jackson-Stops, of Jackson-Stops & Staff, which sponsored the restoration award, said: “This is our centenary year and the Restoration Award has provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate and showcase the magnificent work that is being undertaken at Stowe and around the country.”
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