The coronation chair is to undergo extensive conservation work to preserve what remains of its fragile mediaeval decorations.

The ancient artefact has been used in the coronation service of almost every monarch since it was made more than 700 years ago.

Only three sovereigns - Edward V, Mary I and Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936 before the ceremony was held - were not crowned seated in the large oak chair.

But wear and tear has taken its toll since the royal seat, housed at Westminster Abbey, was commissioned by Edward I in 1300.

Much of its rich paintings, ornate gold gilt and glasswork has been lost over the centuries and the wood damaged by the graffiti of 18th and 19th century schoolboys.

Tony Trowles, head of the Abbey Collection, said: "At first sight it looks an odd chair for a monarch to be sat in but it originally had foliage and birds and the image of a king.

"It's a slightly battered object but what does survive is particularly fragile and needs to be stabilised.

"The work is really conserving the original mediaeval paintwork and gilding, much of which was lost over the centuries."

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has given Westminster Abbey a £150,000 grant towards the project, with the religious institution contributing a further £50,000. Conservators will start work at the end of April and spend 12 months examining what remains of the gold and paint fragments to assess their condition and decide if any action is needed.

Brown paint applied for Queen Victoria's golden jubilee celebrations in 1887 and other additions over the years like polish and wax may be removed. The imposing oak artefact is two metres high and is decorated in a gothic style reminiscent of a mediaeval church and stands on four gold lions, one at each corner, added during the Georgian era.

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