Imogen Paine

Conservator, Restorer & Rabbit Collector

First day at Bristol University (History of Art and French) the History of Art department took us around Bristol City Museum ending with a visit to the magnificent top floor glazed Conservation Department. I immediately decided that I finally knew what I wanted to be when I grew up… sadly no sooner discovered than dashed, as I was told it required Maths, Physics, Chemistry….calamity!

After university I got involved with organising an exhibition to help raise funds to save a magnificent but decaying plaster sculpture of Duncan’s Horses by Adrian Jones, which had been rotting in the grounds of the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire since he had bequeathed it upon his death. This untrained sculptor, a vet by profession, is also responsible for the Quadriga of Peace which sits on the Wellington Arch at the end of Piccadilly outside Apsley House and numerous other accomplished pieces dotted around London and the UK, much to the fury of the Royal Academy who begrudged him his illustrious commissions which he had achieved without going through their school. The exhibition led me to The Sladmore Gallery, my first job, and my life in sculpture. They had a restoration studio, so like Adrian Jones I got there in the end!

Imogen Paine Limited was established in 1986.  Based in north Oxfordshire and with over 35 years experience, the company offers the highest standard of restoration of sculpture and works of art of all periods, from antiquity to contemporary. The company has extensive experience restoring sculpture in marble, stone, bronze, terracotta, alabaster, plaster, cast iron and spelter, as well as the restoration of marble and pietre dure tops to antique furniture.

I am now on a number of sculpture vetting committees at major art and antiques fairs including the Olympia and Masterpiece fairs in London. Condition reports as well as restoration and valuation advice for insurers, loss adjusters and private clients can be arranged.

Website: www.imogenpaineltd.com