MTC 3D prints replicas of 14th century statues for National Trust property

Enthusiasts of historical architecture in the United Kingdom will be familiar with the National Trust, a conservation charity that not only maintains a number of historic estates and buildings across the UK but actually opens them up to the public. Recently, the National Trust took over the care of a “new” property, Coventry Charterhouse, a 14th century, Grade-I-listed former monastery. In its preparation to open the historic property up, the National Trust has been undertaking a number of restoration efforts, some—as we’ll see in more detail—that involved 3D printing.

In collaboration with the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the National Trust is replacing two long-lost statues in Coventry Charterhouse, a pair of 14th century statuettes representing Saint Denis and Saint Lawrence. The original statues went through a rather tumultuous history: they were hidden in the gardens of the Charterhouse for two centuries after the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. They were then found in the 18th century by a tenant and were gifted to the St Osburg’s Church, but were lost again for 100 years. In 1944, the pair of statues were found once more and restored, though they were never returned to their original home.

Now, the statues are making their homecoming—in a sense. The MTC was tasked with creating high-fidelity 3D printed replicas of the statuettes, which it accomplished using 3D scans of the originals to create printable digital models. The models were then brought to life using a 3D printer at the MTC’s facility in Coventry, where it typically uses its AM resources for industrial purposes, like developing a guidance on metal powder recycling and reuse.

“As a Coventry-based organisation, we’re excited to apply our technical expertise to the preservation of the region’s history,” commented Joe Darlington, Director of Technology at MTC. “While our 3D printing work typically focuses on developing parts and components for industry, this collaboration showcases the versatility of the technology we work with and the meaningful impact it can have on our communities.”

The Coventry Charterhouse will reopen to the public this spring, where guests will be able to explore the property and its gardens and see the two 3D printed statuettes in their full glory. According to the MTC, the replica 3D prints of the saints will be the first artefacts on display. Not only will these artefacts enable local residents and visitors to connect with the site’s monastic past, they also create an important bridge between the past and present, emphasizing how new technologies can unlock history.

Jennie Rutte, Manager at Historic Coventry Trust, added: “It’s truly wonderful to see these statues return to their original home at Charterhouse as copies. Seeing these beautiful statues in situ will allow visitors to explore and understand Charterhouse’s heritage and its role within Coventry’s wider history.” 

“As we prepare to open the Charterhouse as our first site in Coventry, we’re particularly looking forward to working with the local community and creating a place where residents can come together and be part of the Charterhouse’s present and future,” added Tom Grosvenor, Senior Programme Manager at National Trust. “The addition of these statues will help us explore another chapter of the Charterhouse’s heritage and the wider history of Coventry.”

In recent years, 3D printing has increasingly been used for restoration purposes. In 2019, for instance, the University of Oxford 3D printed a replica of a 17th century ivory recorder, which could be touched and even  played. At the University of Maine, a team reproduced a 19th century clan helmet from the Northwest Coast using additive manufacturing in order to repatriate the original helmet to indigenous peoples. Most recently, Italy’s Fondazione ITS “Cantieri dell’Arte” a school that specializes in architectural restorations, acquired a WASP 3D printer, which will be used to train students as they acquire the skills needed to restore historic architecture in the country.