Finance Building,
Capitol Complex,
Harrisburg, PA
This project involved the preservation of four luminaires and poles attributed to the noted artist C. Paul Jennewein, from 1939, but most likely manufactured by Curtis Lighting of Chicago from designs by Walter Kantack. A preservation differs from a restoration in that the object is to save as much as possible of the original piece, and arrest or slow the rate of deterioration. This task was complicated by damage sustained when one of the twenty-five foot poles failed in 1990, severely deforming one of the luminaire heads. The remaining units were removed for safety reasons and stored for ten years. More damage occurred during this period. This is how the units looked when we were first involved.
Our contract called for Klemm to retain the services of an art conservator to research the pieces, make recommendations to the Capitol Preservation Committee (CPC) regarding the scope of the preservation, to oversee the preservation process and prepare a final report with recommendations for the continuing preservation of the pieces. We chose to work with Scott Kreilick, of Kreilick Conservation. Scott's thorough and conscientious approach to his work were instrumental to the success of this project. We could not have chosen better.
Below are photos of the completed project.
We would also like to thank John Phillips of Phillips Casting in Philadelphia for his work on the project. His castings are outstanding!