Historic floors their care and conservation

• Main Author: Fawcett, Jane (Author)
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Butterworth Heinemann 2001
• Series: Butterworth-Heinemann series in conservation and museology
• Subjects: Floors > History > England; Floors > Conservation and restoration > England; Historic building > conservation and restoration > England
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.

 Now in paperback, this book introduces an important and largely neglected subject and considers conservation methods in a global context. It traces the history of some of the great floors of Europe from the fourth century B.C. and outlines the development of mosaic, tiles, marble and parquetry floors in secular buildings. The early Christian pavements in basilicas, temples and cathedrals, the creation of medieval tiles, ledger stones and monumental brasses, their destruction by iconoclasts and re-creation during the Gothic Revival, are also discussed. Leading authorities, archaeologists, architects and archivists consider the latest methods of recording and repairing historic floors, including those of cathedrals, country houses, the monumental tiled pavements of the Palace of Westminster and other public buildings. Management policies to protect outstanding floors in over-visited sites are considered and historic features particularly at risk, are identified. Urgent action is recommended to contain the damage caused by the dramatic increase in tourism throughout Europe.