Because the crane had long been removed from the fireplace, the gudgeons, along with information gathered from other surviving early 19th cranes, were used to design a recreated crane. The original gudgeons were also repaired and reinstalled during the restoration. While they were severely deteriorated when the masons discovered them, a blacksmith was able to restore them using traditional blacksmithing techniques.
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©The Montpelier Foundation
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An early 19th century fireplace crane found in the detached kitchen at Morven in Albemarle County, VA. |