project


The Figureheads set sail

Orbis began working to conserve and restore a collection of 19th-century wooden Figureheads from British naval warships in 2016. Last month, in a landmark moment, they began their journey home to Plymouth where they will become the striking centrepiece of a new heritage and arts complex, The Box, opening in Spring 2020. 

With the restoration completed, Orbis were instructed to design and project manage the installation of the Figureheads on site at The Box, 200 miles away from Greenwich, in a ground-breaking display. Suspended from the ceiling, the Figureheads will appear to sweep across the main atrium of the museum, fully impressing on visitors the scale and structure of these magnificent figures, rescued for future generations.

Once the Figureheads have been unveiled as part of a grand opening of The Box in Spring 2020, Orbis will be able to share many more images from the install. Seeing the whole collection on site in their new display following the install was a very moving moment for the whole team, who have been working on these masterpieces for over 2 years, and we can't wait to share more of the story.

Journalists were really interested to learn more about the conservation process of the Figureheads and Orbis have had an astounding amount of lovely articles and press written about their involvement in the project.

From The Guardian, to the BBC, The Times, The Daily Telegraph and ITV News, you can read a selection of stories on our press page

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