English Heritage has been undertaking conservation work on the Minton tiles in the Grand Corridor at Osborne House in East Cowes this week.
The tiles have started spalling, meaning that small areas of the decorative surface have come detached. This may be caused by the tiles coming loose from the mortar below and being pushed up against each other. There are numerous areas of the floor that show historic repairs to previous similar damage, so this problem has likely affected the floor for much of its life.
English Heritage has commissioned Cliveden Conservation to carry out conservation work to the tiles to stabilise the floor and prevent further damage. The conservators on this project are specialists in the conservation and restoration of historic buildings, decorative arts and statuary.
Although the visitor route around the former Royal residence has had to be redirected for the time being, the work has give staff the opportunity to see the fine Minton tile designs normally hidden under the protective carpet.
The Grand Corridor was the main entrance route for official visitors to the house and led towards the private apartments of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during her reign. As a result, the Grand Corridor was also one of the most visually impressive areas in the house, with a display of sculpture, a richly painted ceiling and exuberant floor tiles produced by Minton’s and laid in 1851-52. The royal taste for these floor tiles helped to set the Victorian fashion for tiles in entrance halls in houses across the country.
Photos: English Heritage/Osborne
