Pilot Approach: Conservation and Partial Restoration. Base, niche and tablet conserved, top two steps were partially rebuilt and new stucco applied in a manner to match the surface texture of the original stucco. Photomicrographs of the layers of finish documented an original dark gray limewash.

Esteve Tomb #13

The Esteve Tomb was in very poor condition, and was the worst of the three tombs included in the Conservation Pilot Program. The tomb is believed to date from 1830, the date of the earliest inscription on its closure tablet. It is a good example of a simple, early step-top platform tomb, one that lacks any additional ornamentation such as metalwork or statuary. It is interesting to note that there are two inscription tablets on the tomb; one on the front elevation facing the path and one on the back. The tablet on the back of the tomb is the earlier of the two, containing only the 1830 inscription, and is made of white marble. The larger tablet, on the front of the tomb, is made of black limestone and has an additional inscription from 1846. The inscriptions on both tablets are in French. It is possible that this tomb was built in 1846 to accomodate an additional interment, replacing an earlier structure, a theory which is supported by the finishes evidence found on the tomb. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the Esteve family.

Prior to the Conservation Pilot Program, the tomb was in a total state of disrepair. The upper two tiers of the structure were severely cracked and the top was partially collapsed; its closure tablet was broken and removed from the face of the tomb. Because of the tomb's poor condition, the general approach taken for its preservation was one of restoration and partial reconstruction.

Above text adapted from Dorothy Krotzer and Frank G. Matero, PIlot Tomb Project Report, 2002.