A Day of Treasures

We made the journey to London today to visit the Clothworkers Centre of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

We were privileged to be shown a small sample of their massive textile collection of thousands of pieces, all stored in a massive compactus.

Here is a beautiful beaded dress worn by Queen Elizabth II on a visit to France.

This is a pieced and embroidered silk quilt from the collection.

The centre was a heavily embroidered monogram in gold and silver thread on black velvet.

This quilt was hand painted on linen.  The colours are still very vibrant.

This small cot quilt made of silk, cotton and velvet was heavily hand quilted.

This quilt was made from silk ribbons.

This next quilt was my favourite.  It is a pieced medallion quilt of printed cotton and linen in pinks and browns, possibly made in Wales 1830-1840.

This quilt featured a printed commemorative panel in the centre.  It has been dated to around 1810.

We then spent several very happy hours exploring the treasure trove of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

My favourite items were the spectacular tapestries.  I have never seen anything so huge and grand as these incredible wall hangings.  Despite being centuries old, their colours are still breath taking. This huge tapestry dates from 1425 and depicts scenes of a bear and boar hunt.

The detail was magical.

There was also a whole room full of tapestries owned by King Henry VIII.  I just loved this very beautiful room.

                             

Another highlight for me was this amazing quilt from 1360 - 1400.  It is made from cotton and linen and stitched with extraordinary detail in linen thread.  How gorgeous and so very old!

We also saw examples of stump work embroidery:

Amazing ecclesiastical cloaks:

Golden treasures:

Sculptures, paintings, ironwork, jewellery, carvings, furniture, silver, so many things it is mind boggling.

Here is a small sewing machine and some sewing accessories.

We ate in the most splendid dining rooms, one for lunch:

And the William Morris Dining Room for dinner:

Here I am, in my element.

                                   

Thanks Helen for another fabulous day on our Whitecroft tour.