Inpainting the Door of the 1859, Horace & Charles Smith Concord Coach #472
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The Concord coach is a type of horse-drawn coach that were often used as stagecoaches, mail coaches, and hotel coaches. The term was first used for the coaches by coach-builder J. Stephen Abbot and wheelwright Lewis Downing of the Abbot-Downing Company in Concord, New Hampshire, but now the term is used generically. The most infamous Concord Coach is Wells Fargo Bank’s #251 which are now used for parades and publicity purposes. In 1859 this Concord Coach #472 was built for Charles and Horace Smith, owners and operators of a stage line based in Colchester, CT. This coach was later acquired by the Barre Massachusetts Historical Society where it can be seen displayed today. Hartmann Conservation was subcontracted by B.R. Howard and Associates to inpaint historic damage to the beautifully painted door from this incredibly and ornately decorated stagecoach.
Before Treatment
Image - Before treatment overall damage
Hartmann Conservation received this carriage door from B. R. Howard and Associates (Objects Conservators). They had already cleaned the heavily discolored coach lacquer layers from the surface of door, and brought this to us because of the highly decorated painted surfaces. We protected and covered all textile surfaces with Mylar prior to treatment. An isolating spray surface coating of synthetic varnish was applied on the front side of the door before fills and inpainting.
B.R. Howard and Associates
Inpainting
Image - Carriage door during inpainting
Losses were filled with gesso and were locally coated with synthetic varnish. We inpainted losses, abrasion, traction crackle, and gilding using conservation grade paints, & Mica pigments mixed with a synthetic varnish.
After Treatment
The carriage door was then packed and transported back to B.R. Howard and Associates to be installed back onto the Barre Stagecoach.