Introduction to tapestries
Tapestry is an ancient technique of weaving. The pattern is woven in blocks of coloured weft thread which are then …
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The Devonshire hunting tapestries
These four 15th-century tapestries with hunting scenes came to the V&A from the estate of The Dukes of Devonshire. …
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A Wissa Wassef tapestry
A Wissa Wassef tapestry. Given to the V&A in 2008, 'Ali Salim's piece offers a unique contemporary counterpoint to …
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Cosimo I de' Medici: Renaissance patron
Cosimo I de’ Medici (1519–74) was Duke of Florence between 1537 and his death. The de’ Medicis were renowned for th…
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The Boar and Bear Hunt tapestry
This tapestry is one of a group of four, known as the Devonshire Hunting Tapestries, made in the southern Netherlan…
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Obituaries of George Wingfield Digby
George Wingfield Digby (1911–89) was an art historian with a wide range of specialist interests including ceramics and decorative textiles. He joined the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1934 as Assistant Keeper in the Department of Textiles, becoming Keeper in 1947 until his retirement in 1972.
Textile influences on wallpaper
Textile wallhangings of various kinds were the precursors of paperhangings, so it is not surprising that the earliest and most consistent influence on wallpaper design has come from textiles.
A patchwork panel ‘shown at the Great Exhibition’
This article investigates a 19th century panel worked in the demanding technique of ‘intarsia patchwork’ that overturns our assumptions about patchwork as a craft practiced by female amateurs. The panel forms part of a group of patchworks made by male professionals and exhibited for personal profit, and to promote social causes such as Temperance and Electoral Reform.
The Raphael cartoons for the Vatican tapestries: conservation treatments past & proposed
The acceptance, in 1865, of 7 designs for tapestries by Raphael was an important land-mark in the Museum's history. The task of their protection and conservation has been a formidable one.
Design for a cartouche by Il Poccetti, 1607-12
Drawing by Poccetti - cartouche for the Medici family. This drawing in pen and ink and wash with charcoal on blue paper is by Bernardo Barbatelli, called 'Il Poccetti' (1548-1612).
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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Medieval Life and Leisure in the Devonshire Hunting Tapestries
A celebration of the four magnificent Devonshire Tapestries housed at the V&A.
Buy nowEvent - Talking Threads: A History of Tapestry and Embroidery
Wed 26 September 2012 14:00
SHORT COURSE: Develop a greater understanding of these two art forms, learn about their techniques, designs and functions, and discover the cultural and personal stories they tell.
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