A Model Restoration

The Architectural Fabric Collection cares for a variety of different historical objects that relate to the Palace of Westminster, including architectural models. Models are an excellent record of changes that have occurred to Parliament’s architecture over time. A model depicting the Elizabeth Tower made by modelmaker James Mabey around 1857 has received careful restoration that was captured on film. In this story, read about the history of this intricate model, and watch the work undertaken to restore it.

James Mabey, Modelmaker

James Mabey (1811-1871) was a master modelmaker. He worked on the site while the new Palace of Westminster was being built following the fire of 1834. Mabey produced small-scale models of the interior and exterior of the Palace made of plaster, wood and wire. He worked with architect Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860), who was actively involved in the design process for many of these models. Mabey recorded that he was

“….occupied in making the small models….working them out in many cases from [Barry’s] dictation and sketches made upon the spot, diverging frequently so far from the original design as to constitute a new construction of entire masses and parts.”

It is believed that hundreds of working models were made to help with the design of the Palace. The three that are now in UK Parliament’s Architectural Fabric Collection are the last remaining exterior models. They were likely created as representations of the realised designs when construction was mostly complete. The models are of the three towers of the Palace; the Victoria Tower, Central Tower, and the Clock Tower – now called the Elizabeth Tower, and home to Big Ben.

Three plaster models of the towers from the Palace of Westminster. The models are standing, lined up in a row. On the left is an off-white model of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben. It is a tall, narrow tower with a clock face near the top and it stands on a square grey base. In the middle is a model of Central Tower, the smallest of the three models. It is octagonal at the bottom and rises up to a pointed spire. The central part of the tower has windows on every façade and gothic buttresses. On the right is the model of the Victoria Tower. This is the largest and most decorative model. It has four sides, with each containing two rows of 3 large arched windows. There is an intricately carved arched doorway at the base of one side of the tower. At the very top is a tall, empty flagpole. It is a slightly darker shade than the other two towers. — *Architectural models of the three towers of the Palace of Westminster by James Mabey © UK Parliament AFC 001657, AFC 000002, AFC 000003*

In February 1858, the three models were used by Sir Charles Barry’s son, Edward, as illustrations to a lecture he gave at the Royal Institute of British Architects on the building of the new Palace. When describing the model of the Victoria Tower, he said:

“The carefully executed model on the table by Mr Mabey, will give a better idea of its appearance than any description that I can write.”

A tall, off-white model tower. There is a large archway at the foot of the tower, which contains a door opening with a window either side of the door, and another 2 rows of windows above the doorway. Above the archway is a horizontal row of figurative sculptures. There are 11 in total. There is decorative carving all over the central section of the tower’s body. Above the sculptures are 3 large arched windows featuring gothic tracery. There are another 3 similar windows above this. The top of the model is damaged as there is only one corner turret remaining. The roof reaches a point and there is a tall metal empty flagpole, coming out of the centre of the point of the roof. — *Architectural model, Victoria Tower by James Mabey © UK Parliament AFC 000003*

The lower half of the model of the Victoria Tower showing the arched doorway, the row of figurative sculptures and the three tall gothic arched windows above the sculptures. — *Architectural model, Victoria Tower by James Mabey © UK Parliament AFC 000003*

Commissioning the Restoration

James Mabey made this model of the clock tower in approximately 1857. Like the models of the Victoria and Central Towers, it was originally unpainted, allowing the minute detail of the plasterwork to be seen. Paint was first applied in the mid-1900s to reflect a different scheme of decoration that was being considered for the Elizabeth Tower. We know that the Clock Tower model was intact during the centenary of Big Ben in 1959. In the early 1990s it was found broken with some pieces of the roof missing. When Parliament formed the Architectural Fabric Collection in 2014, the model was a priority for conservation.

A section of a model of a clock tower that is lying down. The top of model is broken off in a straight line above the clock face. There is damage to the left side of the model where the edge has been chipped off. The white clock face has a black and gold painted square surround with a gold inscription under the clock. Below the clock face is a row of windows with gothic tracery and decorative carvings. — *A newspaper clipping shows Harold Macmillan viewing the Clock Tower model on the centenary of Big Ben; detail of Architectural model, Elizabeth Tower by James Mabey © UK Parliament AFC 001657*

The restoration was entrusted to Timothy Richards, a master modelmaker renowned for creating miniature architectural models of iconic buildings around the world. Richards and his team create architectural models using traditional gypsum plaster, with the addition of contemporary methods and techniques. They had a unique understanding of how best to repair the Elizabeth Tower model and return it to its original state, as intended by James Mabey.

They were commissioned to repair damages to the surface, replace lost pieces, reinstate minute metal details and recreate the roof section of the model. The team incorporated the broken sections of original plasterwork.

A photograph taken in the model makers studio. The model of the clock tower is lying down horizontally on a table in the forefront of the photograph. The top of model is broken off in a straight line above the clock face. The model is completely white. In the background are some pink silicone moulds and the plaster pieces that have been moulded from them. There are various pieces of the missing roof of the tower. To the right of the model on the table is another smaller plaster model. On the desk behind the table are a selection of open books and pictures showing the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben. These are propped up for use as reference by the model maker. — *Restoration work underway in the studio for the model of the Elizabeth Tower, photo courtesy of Timothy Richards Architectural Fine Art*

Elizabeth Tower Model Conservation

To repair the main body of the Tower, moulds were taken from existing sections of the model to ensure replication of the exact details. Plaster was then applied to the moulds, creating the new sections. Each new part was carefully shaped to ensure the repair fitted exactly.

A close-up photograph of pink silicone moulds and plaster pieces that have been moulded from them. There are various pieces of the roof of the tower that will be used in the reconstruction. The plaster model of the tower is at the left edge of the photograph lying on its side. — *Silicon moulds and colour re-saturation work taking place, photos courtesy of Timothy Richards Architectural Fine Art*

A close-up photograph of the clock face of the plaster model clock tower. It is lying down and there is the hand of one of the restorers holding a small brush to the clock face. The clock face has traces of old black and gold paint on it that highlights the Roman numerals. The clock hands are missing. — *Silicon moulds and colour re-saturation work taking place, photos courtesy of Timothy Richards Architectural Fine Art*

To return the model back to its intended finish, it was colour matched to the models of the Victoria and Central Tower. The set of models would have initially all been white. However, due to the properties of plaster, with age and handling the other two models have developed a patina which has caused a slight darkening of the surfaces. It was decided that the Elizabeth Tower would be matched to this patina as part of the set.

For the top section of the tower, the remaining plaster fragments helped the team to understand the original design and construction. A silicon mould was taken from one side of the roof fragments and used to create the new sections. The original fragments were then incorporated, retaining their mid-century painted finish to help show the history of changes to the model. To finish the decorative detailing at the top of the model, tiny fragments of the original wire work were drawn by hand and then adapted into digital drawings. These drawings were then used to make laser-cut metal reproductions of each part.

A close up photograph of a damaged section of roof from a plaster model of the Elizabeth Tower. The damaged section is painted dark grey but there is some fading and water damage to areas of it which are a paler grey. There are 7 small dormer windows protruding from the roof, arranged in two rows. The window on the left edge of the fragment is broken in half. There is gold paint around each of the window frames and some gold cresting along the top centre of the section. Just seen in the top of the photograph is the bottom of the new white plaster version of the roof. — *The work in progress; restoration of the roof of the model, a restored top section, and replica decorative elements being created, photos courtesy of Timothy Richards Architectural Fine Art*

In the foreground of the image is a plaster model of the roof and spire of the Elizabeth tower. It is mostly white but there is a section of the original broken roof that has been incorporated into the new roof and that section has been left slightly darker in colour. The body of the model of the tower can be seen in the background. On the left is the hand of one of the restorers holding a small brush. Also on the left is a duplicate section of the spire. — *The work in progress; restoration of the roof of the model, a restored top section, and replica decorative elements being created, photos courtesy of Timothy Richards Architectural Fine Art*

Watch the restoration process

With contributions from Timothy Richards and his team, and Parliament’s Estate Historian Dr Mark Collins, this film takes you through the research and skill the restoration required.

The completed model

The work carried out on this remarkable model ensures it can be enjoyed by future generations.

A model of the tower known as Big Ben. An off-white plaster model of a tall, narrow tower with a clock face towards the top. The metal hands of the clock point are set at 10 to 2. There are thin windows with arched tracery all the way up the body of the tower. There is a pointed roof section with delicate metal decorative cresting around it and larger windows above the clock face and in the central section of the roof. — *The completed Architectural model, Elizabeth Tower by James Mabey © UK Parliament AFC 001657*

Detailed image of the clock face and roof section of the model of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben. An off-white plaster model with bronzed metal decorative details around the edges of the roof and the hands of the clock. Above the clock face is a row of seven gothic arched windows. There are decorative buttresses on each corner of the tower’s belfry. Above that is a slanted roof section, with another level of arched gothic windows above. This leads to the spire of the roof, although the top cannot be seen. — *The completed Architectural model, Elizabeth Tower by James Mabey © UK Parliament AFC 001657*

Elizabeth Tower Tour

The Elizabeth Tower has also undergone its own remarkable restoration. If you join a tour of the Elizabeth Tower, you will find more objects from the Architectural Fabric Collection on display. The exhibition includes a pattern wheel, two sections of cog from the clock mechanism, and a prototype shield created during the conservation work on the tower.

Find out about tours of the Elizabeth Tower.