STEPHEN CRITCHLEY
TEACHING, TALKS & DEMONSTRATION
Collection of Ancient Egyptian tools including copper alloy chisels
In the process of carving a Tudor Rose at a demonstration at Painswick House
I have given talks and demonstrations since 1995 to stone masons, architects, historical & archaeological societies, students, school children, those looking for a new career direction and the unemployed etc. Drawing on my first hand experience and resources mentioned below I am able to give an interesting and comprehensive look into the craft of stone masonry and its technologies past and present.
Here are some of the topics I cover:-
Medieval Cathedral building - Natural Geometry - Conservation Techniques -Starting a career in Stone masonry – Stone masonry tools over the ages - History of European Stone masonry - Early Masonry Magic or Craft - Medieval and English Renaissance wall painting and pigments - Sacramental Geometry - Medieval Stone Masons Geometry - Arches & Domes - City of London Livery Companies.
If you would like a specific subject covered which you think may lay within my field of expertise or have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact me by Email at enquiries@sjcritchley.com
If you wish to invite me to give a lecture, talk or carving demonstrations please contact me by Email giving details of the destination of the talk, subject to be covered and who it will be aimed at and I will let you know if I am available and the charge. For some charities and the unemployed I will, when possible charge for expenses only.
As well as the carving demonstrations I hold several 1 & 2 day carving workshops in central London on weekends throughout the year. To find out more click on link CARVING WORKSHOPS
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For the last 20 years I have been studying the history of Stone masonry and have built up a wide knowledge of it's tools and technologies, lives of the masons, architecture etc. As well as the priceless experience and access gained from working on and around such historically important buildings my research has lead me to Publications such as W. M. Flinders Petrie's Tools and Weapons, institutions such as The British Museum and The Bristol City Museum and 'The Portable antiquities scheme' for information. I have built up several sets of working tools made to the specification of those used through history. |
TOOLS. Ancient Egyptian - Roman (Romano British) - Medieval - 17th Century - Victorian.
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Through my study and many years of work on masonry and conservation projects I have built up a resource of materials and equipment which has been a integral part of my ability to work on and run all types of masonry project. |
PIGMENTS. Through my work on medieval polychrome wall paintings I have collected a range of Medieval and English renaissance pigments made to the traditional recipes to aid the development of conservation and stabilisation techniques.
CLEANING & POLISHING . Historical and modern materials and techniques to polish marble, clean masonry and prevent organic growth etc.
CONSOLIDATION TREATMENTS & GLUES. Early glues copied from ancient Egyptians, treatments such as waxes used by Victorians to conserve 17th century tombs through to modern consolidation chemicals.
GEOMETRY & SETTING OUT . I have a range of equipment and objects I have used to teach apprentices and trainees setting out, Medieval stonemasons geometry (using only compass, square and rule) and natural geometry from which many ancient Civilisations took the ratios for their buildings.
MORTARS & ADDITIVES. Samples of aggregates, Pozzolanic materials, Lime etc. Mortar mixes and ratios.
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Selection of medieval and Ancient Egyptian tools |
Box of Medieval and English renaissance pigments |
Euclidean and Archimedean solids used in teaching solid geometry |
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Copyright ©2012 Stephen Critchley All Rights Reserved
Display stand with collection of masonry tools
Ceremonial dress whilst teaching with EGMM