Conservation and reconstruction as well as preparation of copies of two vases with swan heads and nods

The fragments of two hanging vases with swan heads and nods are archaeological artefacts obtained during excavations, known only from source materials. It has been established that the vessels were brought to Wilanów in the mid-19th century by August Potocki and that they hung on the Southern Pergola next to the Rose Garden. The restoration and reconstruction work made it possible for the museum to acquire additional objects, which is a real attraction not only for specialists and art historians, but also for those interested in the history of Wilanów and the museum’s collection.

Fragments of vases, due to their being loosely stored in boxes in an unpresentable way, did not give a true good overall impression of the whole objects. Among the 68 elements it was certainly possible to identify the bellies of the two vessels and two unmatched swan heads, the nods of the ornamented ears, and also two tops. Except for the one located in Germany, the objects belong to the largest set of garden decoration elements made by Brandenburg ceramic workshops.

After the conservation work on the fragments was completed, the reconstructed vases were displayed – due to the fragility of the reconstructed handles – on specially prepared plinths in the Sculpture Pavilion near the Rose Garden. Special ceramic copies made on the basis of the original vases were hung in the place of the originals, i.e. on the Southern Pergola in the Rose Garden.

The restoration, reconstruction and the preparation of copies of two vases with swan heads and nods were conducted as a part of the “The revitalisation and digitalisation of Wilanów, the only Baroque royal residence in Poland” project. The Project had secured support from the European Regional Development Fund under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2007-2013, Priority XI “Culture and Cultural Heritage”, Activity 11.1. Protecting and maintaining cultural heritage of over-regional importance. In accordance with the adopted Project Implementation Scheme, the investment was completed by 30 September 2015. The total value of the Project: PLN 18,854,348.06. The amount of additional financing: PLN 14,912,881.37 (European Regional Development Fund: PLN 12,675,949.15, and State Budget: PLN 2,236,932.22). 
For more information on the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment please visit www.pois.gov.pl.