Insights and behind the scenes from our palaces
Using Heritage Science to Conserve Queen Caroline's State Bed
13 September 2024
Work on Queen Caroline’s much-loved State bed, which we care for on behalf of the Royal Collection Trust, continues at Hampton Court Palace and our attentions are now drawn to protecting the feet of this priceless historic object.
Objects Unwrapped: A Tin-glazed Floor Tile Found at the Tower
10 December 2015
This tin-glazed ceramic floor tile is decorated with a deer in a landscape, surrounded by concentric circles and trefoil motifs in the corners. It would originally have formed part of a decorative floor, consisting of similar style tiles but with different animals and patterns in the centre.
Objects Unwrapped: Tudor Leather Mache Putto from Hampton Court
07 December 2015
Putti are representations of small male children often with wings, found in religious and secular artwork. They were a popular form of decoration during the Renaissance.
How we acquired The Bristowe Hat
20 January 2015
The Bristowe Hat is a very rare example of Tudor or very early Stuart fashion. It first appeared on my desk in the form of an email – 'Did we want it?' I was certainly very intrigued...
Drilling for Dates
10 June 2014
People think I’m nuts because I love roofs. But not only are they among the best preserved parts of our palaces, they also hold secrets within them, and can reveal information which isn’t contained in any documents. The latest roof to receive treatment is the Great Watching Chamber. It is one of our most important Tudor roofs.