Vintage Statue Restoration - Springdale Cemetery
Springdale Cemetery, in Peoria, Illinois, is host to many fine, vintage statues. Over time, a statue of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount, lost its outstretched right hand. The Springdale Historic Preservation Foundation contracted Heritage Restoration to recreate the missing hand and finish it in such a way that the hand would blend with the 70 year old exterior of the original statue.
Project Summary
A marble statue of Jesus giving His Sermon on the Mount was vandalized at a local cemetery. The statue's right hand was broken off at the wrist. Heritage Restoration and Design began the restoration by taking precise measurements of the break point and creating a detailed mold of the damaged area. Using this mold, our design team produced a 3D-printed prototype to ensure an exact fit before beginning the final repair.
The prototype served as the model for a new hand carved from statuary white marble—a material not commonly found in the U.S. Heritage sourced the marble through its international supplier network to ensure a seamless match in both tone and texture.
Once weather conditions permitted, our team returned to the cemetery and re-attached the new hand using a combination of mechanical fittings and conservation-grade sealing compounds. After curing, the new piece was blended into the statue with a custom-mixed surface finish, designed to match the color and patina of the original.
Thanks to natural weathering, the repair will become even more visually integrated over time. Today, the seventy-year-old statue stands beautifully whole once again—restored with historical integrity, yet without compromising its vintage character.
Project Videos
Gallery
