Holkham Hall and Estate, Norfolk.
The Hall is a member of the Treasure Houses group which consists of ten of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. It is home to arguably the finest collection of William Kent furniture in the world.
Built in 1734, Holkham Hall was originally conceived by Thomas Coke to replace the existing family house, Hill Hall. Whilst carrying out his Grand Tour he befriended William Kent, a meeting that is strongly evidenced in the Hall today. During this time he also collected fine art and furniture. Now a family home to his descendant Viscount Coke it is also opened up to the public for their enjoyment. The Hall is a member of the Treasure Houses group which consists of ten of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today.
The Saloon Furniture
The restoration of the William Kent designed Saloon furniture.
Humphries Weaving designed a silk and wool damask and an accompanying glazed tammy for the gilt William Kent furniture in the Saloon. Taking and redrawing the original design from the cut velvet walling and matching to an appropriate colour between the brighter original and the faded crimson/plum as we see it today.
Some of the chairs from this suite can also be seen in other rooms within the Hall.
Project reference: 1626 / 1627
William Kent Cornucopia Suite
In March 2014 the Victoria and Albert Museum London launched its exhibition, ‘William Kent; Designing Georgian Britian’.
Holkham Hall has arguably the finest collection of William Kent furniture in the world and loaned the William Kent Cornucopia suite, which was reupholstered as part of a loan agreement between Holkham Hall the Victoria and Albert museum and the Bard graduate centre New York.
Repair and reupholstery work carried out by Arlington conservation London with Humphries Weaving supplying the crimson silk damask. This suite is now displayed in the North State Sitting room.
Project Reference: 2345
The Landscape Room.
The Landscape Room, described by the late John Cornforth as ‘one of the most celebrated picture rooms in England’.
A narrow woven crimson silk damask for the Landscape Room wall coverings, festoon curtains and upholstery restoration.
There is another version of this damask at Spencer House, London, The Victoria and Albert Museums British Galleries Music Room, Norfolk House and the Warner Textile Archive.
Project reference: 1012
The Green State Closet
The Green State Closet.
Pure silk damask and lute in deep olive green for the Green State Closet walling and festoon curtain restoration.
The design is the same as that silk on the walls in the landscape room and has a long association with the Hall.
Project reference: 1035 / 1036
The Long Library
The Long Library is also known as the family library, it is situated in the family wing and as such is a much used and homely room.
Wide woven cotton and wool damask in russet and champagne, the fabric includes an interesting trellis construction in the ground. The fabric was develop to match existing curtains that had degraded.
Project Ref: 2865
The Manuscript Library
The Manuscript Library, named so because it houses Holkham’s important collection of manuscripts and early books.
Narrow woven silk and wool damask in deep crimson for the Manuscript Library curtain restoration. The same design is used in a larger scale on The Library Furnishings at Ickworth, Suffolk
Project Reference: 1521
