Last year, the Coat of Arms of Boxtel was plenty in the news. A miscreant placed a ladder against the façade of the town hall on a weekday, unscrewed the coat of arms and ran off with it. A good description and an officer’s attentiveness led to a quick arrest.
Reconstruction by SintLucas
The theft had caused considerable damage to the shield. Restoring the paint layer was no longer possible. Reason for the municipality to engage the Decoration and Restoration Painter course for a reconstruction. We are grateful for these fine assignments, which allow our students to put their craft into practice.
SintLucas may carry out reconstruction
In the autumn, Wibe Ophof of the municipality handed over the coat of arms and accompanying archive documents to the teachers and student Guusje Schalkx, herself a real Boxtelaar who was allowed to carry out the reconstruction.
The coat of arms was not in the studio for the first time, but had already been restored by former teacher Piet Rood and students in 1985. So it was time for a thorough approach. After researching the colours and images, Guusje drew up a recommendation and the reconstruction could begin.
Reinstatement with mayor
Successful reconstruction
With the archive drawings, heraldic colours Keel and Sable, 23 ¾ carats of double-tower gold leaf and palladium sheet metal, Guusje worked hard over the winter months on the reconstruction and was able to successfully complete the task on time.
Reinstatement with the mayor
Hoisted in a safety harness, Guusje took a seat in the aerial platform and brought the coat of arms to where it belongs, the balcony of the town hall. Together with Mayor Ronald van Meygaarden, the coat of arms was reassembled and unveiled.
Guusje and all other Boxtel citizens can admire the coat of arms again during the carnival festivities and hopefully the sun will show itself, so that the gold in the coat of arms can shine over the square.
