Oamaru stone
Oamaru stone, sometimes called whitestone,[1] is a hard, compact limestone, quarried at Weston, near Oamaru in Otago, New Zealand.
Oamaru stone was used on many of the grand public buildings in the towns and cities of the southern
The city of Dunedin and town of Oamaru both have many fine examples of Oamaru stone edifices, such as St Patrick's Basilica. The stone was used widely on buildings in many parts of New Zealand, including in the construction of both the Town Hall and the Chief Post Office in Auckland.[3]
The stone has been prominently used in combination with the more hard-wearing
Its ease of working also appeals to sculptors and examples of Oamaru stone sculpture can be found throughout New Zealand.
Chemistry
The source of the stone is a 40-metre thick deposit inland from Oamaru consisting of
The stone is porous, making it susceptible to weathering in damp conditions, but sturdy in a moderate to dry climate. It is soft when first quarried, hardening on exposure to air.[5] This, along with its uniform texture, makes it excellent for sculptural and ornamental purposes. The finished stonework has a creamy, sandy colour. It is not strongly resistant to pollution, and can be prone to surface crumbling, but is excellent as a material for internal architectural ornamentation. It is also greatly used for free-standing carvings and sculptures.
See also
References
- ^ "Oamaru whitestone", Rough Guides. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Limestones", Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, vol 8 (1875), pp. 138–148.
- ISBN 0-908610-21-1.
- ^ "Oamaru stone", Science Learning Hub. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ a b Blair, G. W., (1877) "Oamaru Stone Export and Quarrying Co., New Zealand", Robert Stout Collection, vol. 87. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "Limestones", Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, vol 8 (1875), p144, converted from pounds per cubic foot.
External links