Barrel Vault
The carved and gilded wood barrel-vaulted ceiling of the marble-clad Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Venice, circa 1489. By our era, the marble cladding of the building had effectively become 14% soluble salts through centuries of sea air and proximity to the canals; dangerously close to total disintegration. A 10-year restoration was undertaken in which all marble was removed and slowly desalinated, then returned to the building.
© Chris Budny
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