Since 1778, a small figure has been marking the passing of time from a lofty location above the throngs of shoppers on York’s Coney Street. The Little Admiral is the carved wooden figure that stood atop the clock – but he has been absent from his post for a number of years, feared to have fallen victim to deathwatch beetle.
Now, after painstaking conservation work by experts from York Archaeology, the Little Admiral has returned to public display, but this time within the church of St Martin’s. The wooden figure has been treated for any possible infestation, but on closer examination, it appears that the British climate was mostly to blame for his deterioration.
Uncovering the Little Admiral’s Hidden History
“The Little Admiral is made up of a number of parts – a carved wooden body and cast iron structural elements. We couldn’t visually assess any damage or corrosion to the iron parts, so after the figure had been frozen – to stop any insect infestation – it was x-rayed to give us a better understanding of what was going on inside the figure,” comments Morgan Creed, senior conservator for York Archaeology. “Whilst it was encouraging to see that the ironwork was still in good condition, the wood itself had been somewhat battered by the elements, with deep cracks appearing. Protective paintwork had failed, allowing fungi to penetrate and start breaking down the wood from within.”
After a thorough cleaning and removing earlier repairs (including screws and adhesives), the wood was then treated and filled to help restore its stability. The conservation work revealed earlier layers of paint, highlighting that the original colour-scheme had been changed over time. Once the ironwork and wood were ready, they were primed and painted with traditional linseed paints, and parts re-gilded with gold leaf, restoring the original colours and majesty of the iconic figure.
“Sadly, the condition of the Little Admiral is such that it can’t go back onto the clock without risking further damage, so it is now on display within St Martin-le-Grand, where admirers will be able to see it for years to come,” comments Anthony Hammersley, Church Warden of St Helen with St Martin. “The model has now been digitally scanned, and the images are to be used to create a bronze cast version of the Little Admiral to sit atop the clock once again – something that will resist even the hottest sun and coldest winter.”
The restoration and display of the Little Admiral have been funded by the Feoffees of St Martins and St Helens primarily from the Potter Kirby Trust (registered charity no. 257249) which was established in memory of George Arthur Potter-Kirby following his death in 1967.
