A treasured piece of York’s high street history has officially returned to public view following an intensive, painstaking restoration project by expert conservators.
The “Little Admiral” – a carved wooden figure that has monitored the shoppers of Coney Street from a lofty clock-top perch since 1778 – had been absent from his post for several years. It was initially feared that the 248-year-old landmark had fallen victim to a destructive deathwatch beetle infestation.
However, an in-depth investigation by specialists at York Archaeology revealed that the British climate was the primary culprit behind his severe deterioration.
The complex restoration process required the team to freeze the figure to eliminate any potential insect activity before conducting advanced X-ray scans to examine the internal structure. The figure is built from a combination of a carved wooden body and internal cast-iron structural supports.
Morgan Creed, Senior Conservator for York Archaeology, explained: “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.”
Conservators meticulously cleaned the figure, stripped away subpar historic repairs, including modern screws and adhesives, and treated the wood to restore its structural integrity. The process uncovered the landmark’s earliest paint layers, proving its colour scheme had been altered over the centuries. To restore his original 18th-century majesty, the team primed the figure, applied traditional linseed paints, and re-gilded select details with fresh gold leaf.
Because the delicate wooden original is now too fragile to survive the outdoor elements, he has been permanently rehomed safely indoors at St Martin-le-Grand Church on Coney Street.
To ensure the famous clock doesn’t remain empty, the team has digitally scanned the original carving to create a highly durable, weather-resistant bronze replica cast, which will eventually take the Admiral’s traditional place above the high street.
The preservation project was funded by the Feoffees of St Martins and St Helens, primarily through the Potter Kirby Trust charity, which was established in memory of George Arthur Potter-Kirby.
