We are delighted that our Serpentine Turner’s Workshop has been nominated for Object of the Year at the Cornwall Heritage Awards!

The workshop was donated by the family of Mr Vivian Buosustow, a serpentine turner from Church Cove, who was involved in all stages of production, from quarrying to finishing and sales.

Serpentine, so named for its scaly, ‘reptilian’ texture, forms the cliffs at Kynance Cove and has been utilised by humans worldwide for over 30,000 years. Nationally, it became popular after Queen Victoria visited Mounts Bay in 1846. Having seen serpentine, she ordered various pieces from a Penzance factory in Wherrytown for Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Serpentine pieces were also displayed at The Great Exhibition in 1851, which fired demand for the product.

The Lizard Serpentine Company was formed at Poltesco in 1855. The company even had its own steamship, The Foyle, which transported the large finished products. These included mantle pieces, fireplaces, columns, vases and shop fronts. There was even a Lizard Serpentine Company showroom in The Strand in London.

Fashions changed, and in 1870, the company became the Poltesco Marble Company. Large serpentine blocks became difficult to find, transport costs were high and large objects cracked or eroded in the weather. Cheaper marble imports became fashionable for a short time. Those who had worked in the factory set up local industries, carving trinkets and souvenirs mainly for the tourist trade. Serpentine shapes the landscape of the Lizard, and this workshop is a much-loved item in our collection.

The winner of Object of the Year is chosen by the public, so please VOTE for us by following the link below and selecting the ‘Serpentine Works’ on the poll at the bottom of the page. The voting poll closes on Monday 8 January at 5pm. Thank You!

HA-Object of the Year 2024 – Cornwall Museums Partnership – Cornwall Museums Partnership