The Dresden Trust strongly believed that the Orb and Cross made for the Frauenkirche in Dresden should be shown in as many parts of Britain as possible. The people of Britain needed to see the magnificent object that superb British craftsmanship had produced, which was eventually to stand on the Dome of Dresden's Frauenkirche.
The hope was that the efforts of the Trust to promote reconciliation between Britain and Germany would be thrown into sharp relief and, that they would thus encourage further donations.
On other occasions Grant Macdonald was required to assemble and disassemble the various parts of the Orb and Cross, which was a considerable excercise, made a special cage which was needed to support each piece, and designed a heavy metal support stand. Great care was needed throughout when the assembly and deconstruction was in hand, as any damage needed to be repaired before its next journey. Between times, the Orb and Cross were moved back to Grant Macdonald's work shops.
Inevitably the Orb and Cross sustained some scratches and other blemishes and these were carefully repaired before its next destination.
In Dresden, after the handover of the Orb and Cross to our German friends, the Cross stood outside the Frauenkirche at ground level for 3-4 years. After the completion of the building, the Orb and Cross had to be thoroughly cleaned and then given two new coats of full gilding. The Orb and Cross were raised to the dome of the Frauenkirche on June 2005.
See also 'Making of the Orb and Cross'