Heritage

The Client

Norton Priory Museum and Gardens is an acclaimed museum located in Runcorn, renowned for its rich historical significance and beautiful grounds. The site encompasses the ruins of a medieval abbey complex, which dates back to the 12th through 16th centuries, alongside an elegant country house from the 18th century.

The abbey remains hold the prestigious status of a scheduled ancient monument and are recognised by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building. These ruins are celebrated as the most significant monastic remains in Cheshire, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s medieval past.

The museum boasts over 900 years of history, presenting a diverse array of artifacts and exhibits that chronicle the site’s storied past. Among its treasures is the magnificent 14th-century statue of Saint Christopher, a highlight of the collection that attracts visitors with its remarkable craftsmanship and historical value.

The Project

An 800-year-old coffin lid had to be relocated to accommodate development work at Norton Priory Museum. This task posed significant challenges due to the lid’s fragile condition.

The coffin lid, dating back to the 12th century, is a remarkable example of medieval craftsmanship. It is intricately decorated with raised designs carved in full relief. An inscription that once adorned the lid suggests that the woman buried within was named Alice. Historical analysis indicates that Alice was between 36 and 45 years old at her time of death, with her burial taking place sometime between 1300 and 1325.

Given the age and delicate state of the ‘Alice’ coffin lid, Norton Priory sought to preserve its details through modern technology. They approached us to create a digital record of this significant historical artifact. By scanning the lid, we aimed to capture and preserve its intricate details for future study and display, ensuring that its historical and cultural value is maintained despite the necessary relocation.

The Solution

We provided a detailed digital model of the ‘Alice’ coffin lid to ensure an accurate record of its intricate design, capturing even the smallest details and tool marks from its original creation.

Using an advanced arm-based laser, we achieved a remarkable accuracy of 0.06mm in capturing the coffin lid’s geometry. This precise scanning was performed entirely on-site, eliminating the need to move the fragile lid and ensuring its preservation during the process.

The data collected by the laser scanner was then used to create a highly accurate CAD model using Geomagic Direct X. This digital representation was essential for producing photorealistic renders and an interactive 3D model, which is now available for virtual exploration on the Norton Priory Museum website.

Moreover, the CAD model allows for the creation of full-size or scale replicas of the lid. These replicas can be displayed in the museum, enabling visitors to appreciate the lid’s craftsmanship while the original artifact remains safely preserved in its initial location. This innovative approach ensures both the protection of the historical lid and the continued engagement and education of museum visitors.

Client Comments

‘The decoration would have required great craftsmanship to create and demonstrates that the family of the deceased person could afford to pay for a superior type of coffin,’ said Lynn Smith from Norton Priory.

‘The coffin design is made up of a central cross, a dragon or some form of fantastic beast representing evil, from whose mouth and tail issue vine branches, and the image of a female figure around which an inscription once existed.

‘The coffin lid is an important part of history that we knew we had to save.

‘We heard about OR3D via our contacts at the Daresbury Innovation Campus.

‘We were delighted with the work OR3D did and would definitely use them again and have no hesitation in recommending them to others within the heritage sector. “