Supreme Court of Canada Bronzes

As part of an overall project to conserve outdoor bronze features and associated masonry, our team was asked by the project architect to carry out a hands-on survey and condition assessment of the exterior bronze elements at the Supreme Court of Canada. A Classified Federal Heritage Building, the Supreme Court was constructed between 1938 and 1940 to the designs of Montreal architect Ernest Cormier. The two prominent statues flanking the main entrance, Veritas and Justicia, are the work of Walter Seymour Allward, the Canadian monumental sculptor who also designed the Vimy Memorial in France.

The assessment investigated the condition of the metalwork, interpreted likely original finishes, identified and assessed causes of deterioration, and made recommendations for treatment with a goal of minimal intervention, preservation of historic fabric, documentation, and reversibility. Elements studied included statuary, torchères, flagpole finials and bases, and lamps. Upon approval of the conservation approach, we contributed to the development of the tender package and provided construction oversight for the conservation work.