Whilst we are working outside, I have been using a small sheltered area as a tea drinking spot during the heaviest downpours. This rather strange 'thing' (I'm not sure whether to call it a building) is directly opposite the front door outside and looks like it was originally an archway/gateway on to the main road. It is a single 'room' with a bench down either side and feels a bit like a small 'waiting room'...so I've assumed it was originally somewhere to wait for carriages...would that ring true?
Anyway, at some time in the distant past, one doorway (the one out to the road) was blocked up. I'm guessing this was around the time that the gateposts were built and the iron gates installed to provide alternative access to the property. It would seem to be a long time ago as the gap was filled with either clay lump or brick (haven't dug around with it) and then lime rendered. We don't want to reinstate the doorway, since there is no 'foot traffic' to speak of...we are sufficiently rural that everyone arrives by vehicle and uses the gates in the driveway.
To cut to the point, the 'room' has some lovely cornice which appears to depict dragons (see photos), but when the doorway was blocked, the cornice was butchered. We would like to reinstate the cornice - what do people here think?
Any examples of dragon cornice elsewhere? Will the cornice survive in a room which is open to the elements? (there are no doors)
Anyway, at some time in the distant past, one doorway (the one out to the road) was blocked up. I'm guessing this was around the time that the gateposts were built and the iron gates installed to provide alternative access to the property. It would seem to be a long time ago as the gap was filled with either clay lump or brick (haven't dug around with it) and then lime rendered. We don't want to reinstate the doorway, since there is no 'foot traffic' to speak of...we are sufficiently rural that everyone arrives by vehicle and uses the gates in the driveway.
To cut to the point, the 'room' has some lovely cornice which appears to depict dragons (see photos), but when the doorway was blocked, the cornice was butchered. We would like to reinstate the cornice - what do people here think?
Any examples of dragon cornice elsewhere? Will the cornice survive in a room which is open to the elements? (there are no doors)