Plowden & Smith

21/06/2026

Happy Summer Solstice! This time of year we always think of Stonehenge where we manufactured and installed mounts for the permanent and temporary galleries of this UNESCO World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.

The inclusion of Human Skeletons within the display gave us the insight to treat the remains of our ancestors with respect and compassion.

Because of the strict exclusion of wood and wood products from the construction of the showcases, we developed innovative solutions to mount works in a way that remains adaptable to future changes.

19/06/2026

Exhibition Recommendation: Classic Art London opens next week 22nd June - 4th July across St James's. Pick your route through the capital's finest galleries and dealers.

What shows are on your list?

https://www.classicartlondon.uk/planning-your-trip

Monday 22 June to Friday 3 July 2026 at galleries in Mayfair & St. James’s, & Cecil CourtDrawings, Paintings, Sculptures & Works of Art David Messum Fine Art Philip Mould & Company Karen Taylor Fine Art Guy Peppiatt Fine Art Charles Beddington Ltd Colnaghi Slide 1Slide 1 (current slide) Slide 2Sli...

12/06/2026

Sad news today, David Hockney died at 88.
Celebrated worldwide, he leaves an incredible legacy in his work.

The painter's style was one of the most recognisable in the modern era.

12/06/2026

Our exhibition pick of the week is an often missed corner of one of the UK's most famous attractions. Behind the giftshop at Hever Castle is a display of the castle's historic interiors in miniature illustrating Hever Castle through the ages.

The 1/12th Scale models are crafted by English miniaturist furniture maker, John J. Hodgson and form a permanent display so whether you are visiting for jousting, falconry or classic cars make some time to see Hever in miniature.

We're a big fan of the miniature at Plowden & Smith with many of the team enjoying visits to Hever Castle and to the the Queen Mary's dolls house at Windsor Castle. We've even had a miniature House of Commons Chamber through our doors for restoration.

https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/things-to-do/miniature-model-house/

Hever Castle & Gardens
Historic Houses

09/06/2026

"Any Miracles Possible?"

A question we occasionally receive when an object arrives in pieces.

This rainbow glazed vessel by Australian contemporary ceramicist Pippin Drysdale presented significant challenges for colour matching with its smooth field of green interior and an ever varying patterned exterior. After meticulous restoration it is once again ready to be enjoyed.

We're pleased to share these before and after images—with our client's kind permission.

Find out more about our ceramic conservation:
https://plowden-smith.com/restoration-conservation-services/ceramic-restoration/

08/06/2026

05/06/2026

Our exhibition pick of the week is Henry Moore: Monumental Nature at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. Collecting thirty large scale sculptures across the botanical gardens this show is an exceptional collaboration between the Henry Moore Studios & Gardens and Kew Gardens.

On until January 2027, this show will reward repeat visits to see the sculptures against the changing seasons. These photos are from the recent heatwave on the day Kew set the record for UK temperature in May at 34.8C

Photos:
1. Two Large Forms, 1969, Bronze
2. Large Reclining Figure, 1983, Fibreglass
3. Sheep Piece, 1971-72, Bronze
4. Figure in a Shelter, 1983, Bronze

https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/henry-moore

22/05/2026

Fills are new materials added in ceramics conservation to rebuild areas where material has been lost. They can be used discreetly to support original fragments of broken ceramics and illustrate the original form of the piece, or they can be retouched to hide the appearance of cracks and losses.

Any fills added in our conservation processes are made using tested conservation grade materials which are reversible and will not negatively affect the original pieces of pottery.

This iron age pot is approximately 2000 years old, discovered in a British river estuary in several shards. The last piece of the pot's rim would not fit into the re-assembled fragments so it was brought to our ceramics conservation studio for some expert care.

Our Senior Ceramics Conservator, Madeline, talks us through the process of rebuilding this historic piece and the decisions involved in deciding when and where to add fills.

Scroll back to part one where we showed the process of dismantling and removing the original adhesive and we explain what it means to get “locked out” when rebuilding broken ceramics.

21/05/2026

Throwback Thursday and a birthday celebration for Plowden & Smith celebrating 60 years in business this week!

Peter Smith left the British Museum in 1966 where among many projects he had helped produce replicas of the Sutton Hoo treasures. Anna Plowden left the Institute of Archaeology in 1967 to set up her independent conservation practice and Anna & Peter collaborated on many projects before joining forces to create Plowden & Smith.

We have been lucky to foster the talents of many excellent conservators and are indebted to Anna and Peter in creating the one of the largest and most successful private practices in the UK specialising in conservation and exhibition services.

Image 1. Peter Smith creating a replica of one of the Sutton Hoo treasures at the British Museum.

Image 2 & 3. Before and after. Our first project - the restoration of life-sized bronzes at St Cuthbert's, South Shore in Blackpool.

Image 4. Anna Plowden receiving Her CBE in 1997 in the New Years Honours for conservation services to museums.

Image 5, 6 & 7 Our workshops in Kingston upon Thames and Wandsworth before our move to Mitcham.

Image 8. Peter Smith joined the team at our celebration on Monday.