MTC PRESS RELEASE
Coventry Charterhouse welcomes back historic statues thanks to 3D printing
Coventry Charterhouse is set to celebrate the return of two 14th-century statues, thanks to the innovative 3D printing capabilities of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in preserving the city’s heritage.
During the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century, the statues of St. Denis and St. Lawrence were hidden in the garden at the Charterhouse, originally a Carthusian monastery. They were uncovered later in the 18th century by tenant John Whittingham, whose daughter gifted them to what is now known as St Osburg’s Church. After going missing for 100 years, the statues were later found and restored in 1944 but have never returned to the Charterhouse.
Now, due to MTC’s expertise and meticulous work, 3D printed replicas of these statues will be restored to the site as identical to the originals. This is achieved through using detailed scans and digital models, which are then printed layer by layer, gradually building up the material to create a perfect replica.
This Spring, the Charterhouse is preparing to reopen as part of a new partnership between National Trust and Historic Coventry Trust that will see the former take on the day-to-day management of the site. These replicas will be the first artefacts on display, serving as a poignant reminder of the site’s rich history and the monks who once lived there. This collaboration between Historic Coventry Trust and MTC not only ensures the legacy of these statues continues, but also helps local families and visitors connect with Coventry’s past.
Jennie Rutte, Manager at Historic Coventry Trust, said: “It’s truly wonderful to see these statues return to their original home at Charterhouse as copies. Seeing these beautiful statues in situ will allow visitors to explore and understand Charterhouse’s heritage and its role within Coventry’s wider history.”
Joe Darlington, Director of Technology at MTC, said: “As a Coventry-based organisation, we’re excited to apply our technical expertise to the preservation of the region’s history. While our 3D printing work typically focuses on developing parts and components for industry, this collaboration showcases the versatility of the technology we work with and the meaningful impact it can have on our communities.”
Tom Grosvenor, Senior Programme Manager at National Trust said: “As we prepare to open the Charterhouse as our first site in Coventry, we’re particularly looking forward to working with the local community and creating a place where residents can come together and be part of the Charterhouse’s present and future. The addition of these statues will help us explore another chapter of the Charterhouse’s heritage and the wider history of Coventry.”
To learn more about Charterhouse, visit, https://www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk/visit/charterhouse/. Or, for more information on MTC and its capabilities, visit www.the-mtc.org.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
About MTC
MTC transforms how products are designed, made and built so that they can be produced on a commercial scale – more sustainably, effectively and safely. Since 2010, our independent research and technology organisation has delivered pioneering solutions to help overhaul industries spanning Aerospace, Defence & Security, Power & Energy, Built Environments, Space, Agriculture, and Food & Drink. Always in collaboration. Always with purpose.
We are proud to be part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, established by and working in partnership with Innovate UK.
For more information visit: https://www.the-mtc.org/
About Historic Coventry Trust
Historic Coventry Trust is an entrepreneurial heritage development trust which aims to bring new life to the city’s heritage, finding innovative ways to sustain historic places and to inspire, involve and connect people with the city’s history.
Founded in 2011 (and previously known as The Charterhouse Coventry Preservation Trust), our aim is to become the guardian of the city’s heritage in perpetuity and a strategic partner to enable regeneration of Coventry’s historic buildings and landscapes. The Trust is a social enterprise and aims to become self-sufficient, generating revenue from restored historic buildings and innovative development.
About the National Trust
The National Trust is an independent conservation charity founded in 1895 by three people: Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley, who saw the importance of the nation’s heritage and open spaces and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy. Today, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we continue to look after places so people and nature can thrive.
We care for more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 780 miles of coastline, 1 million collection items and 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves. In 2023/24 we received 25 million visitors to our pay for entry sites. The National Trust is for everyone – we were founded for the benefit of the whole nation, and our 5.4 million members, funders and donors, and tens of thousands of volunteers support our work to care for nature, beauty, history for everyone, for ever.
