How do modern and historic materials interact within the local structural unit in a tapestry? Have tapestries survived better because of conservation support systems? Were the conservation materials the best choice and has there been enough stitching applied, or too much?
Phillipa Duffus, currently studying for a PhD, explains more about the above project and how this will help us make important conservation decisions in the future.
To answer this question, Phillipa is researching the physical properties of our tapestries and the effectiveness of current conservation methods in order to identify the best structural support techniques with minimum intervention.
This PhD project is a collaborative research between Historic Royal Palaces and the University of Manchester and is funded by the AHRC/EPSRC Science and Heritage Programme.
Detail of a 500-year old tapestry during conservation
Tapestries are very large objects and can measure up to 6m x 4m, making them very heavy. Some of the tapestries here at Hampton Court are over 500 years old and have inevitably suffered over time from the effects of light, humidity and pollution. They are not, therefore, as strong as they once were and are less able to support their own weight. As part of the conservation process, we can apply a fabric support to the back of a tapestry to distribute the load and carry the weight of the tapestry when it is returned to display.
The Abraham tapestries on display at Hampton Court Palace
