Abbey finds Joseph’s missing finger

Abbey conservator Vanessa Simeoni has a team of students helping with her with the deep cleaning of various parts of the Abbey and assigned Rui Ferreira of the City and Guilds of London Art School to clean the Nightingale statue which depicts Joseph attempting to defend his wife Elizabeth from the grisly figure of Death.

But when Rui began cleaning in the folds of Joseph’s robe he discovered the index finger that had been missing for years.

The good news is that Vanessa will attempt to restore the finger to his rightful place on Joseph’s right hand.

We will put it back on. We always try to reunite bits that have dropped off - I have a box of bits in my studio that I am always looking for homes for.