Conservation of a Tudor ceiling at Hampton Court | Beyond Palace Doors

The conservation team are investigating the magnificent ceiling of the Wolsey Closet at Hampton Court Palace. For many years, it was thought to be made of a material called leather maché, but it was revealed that this is not the case. The exact date and origin of the ceiling are also a mystery. In order to conserve this glorious craftwork for another 500 years and choose the best conservation methods, we need first to know about its history and its condition. The conservators’ detective work involves closel