Friday 25 May 2012

The masons are in town

There has been a lot of sandstone sprucing-up going on in our fair city over the last 18 months: State Library, Central Station clock tower, QVB, and now the Town Hall. The work is being done by the Traditional Sandstone Company, even though there does not appear to be much tradition in that dentist's drill he is using.

See up high on the clock tower, those little plywood inserts? Ten of the capitals are being recarved - not just being cleaned up, but reproduced. Each capital will take two weeks to carve, even with the power tools. The complete restoration project will take four years and cost $33 million, but all should be spic'n'span in time for the 150th celebrations in 2018.

Do you always look through windows like this to watch experts at work?

Now go off and read The Stone Book Quartet by Alan Garner. Read them in order: The Stone Book; Granny Reardun; The Aimer Gate; and, Tom Fobble's Day. I have them in mind for my grand-daughter when she is seven or eight.

12 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

It seems like a lot of work, and a lot of money, but it is better than having the city's wonderful old buildings torn down. My home city, Vancouver, BC, allowed many heritage buildings to be destroyed before someone stepped in and said it had to stop. Thank goodness.
K

Mark said...

Gee we could use these guys in Grafton to restore a few of our sandstone buildings that are going to rack and ruin.

AL said...

I wonder how long it would take if they were doing this the traditional way...by hand? Amazing and outrageaous costs involved, but I'm pleased the restoration work is being done. I've never read those books you mentioned...I'll have a look.

Jim said...

That's awesome. I haven't checked that out yet.

Jane Bennett Artist said...

Love this post Julie! I must find these books & read them as I'm a sandstone tragic.
Next month I'll get lessons by a wonderful sculptor, Vince Vozzo. I'll hopefully learn to carve a head out of sandstone without drilling through my fingers or chiselling through my foot.I won't ever get to the standard of these guys, but will get some sort of insight into the process.

Ann said...

Wow. Whereabouts is this window, I want to go look.

Julie said...

In Sydney Square, right beside the Town Hall.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I wonder what Michelango would have done with one of those drills.

Julie said...

Gone bonkers looking for a power point?

Julie said...

Just thought that a better title for this post might be 'A mason hand-shake' ...

Peter said...

what a great idea by City of Sydney - well captured thru the grimy screen.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I'd be right there with you at that window Ann, fascinating..looking at this post has reminded me that I desperately have to make a dentist appointment, thanks Julie..