REVIEW OF 2023-2024

I failed to post a review of 2023, for which I am very sorry indeed.  I was busy after the death of my mother with the endless administrative process that follows.  We had a very 'good' funeral for her in January, with what seemed like all the old ladies of Hampshire there to see her off.  

I had a dental implant - a very sci-fi and impressive procedure coupled with the application of brute force.  However, it was a relief after nearly 2 years during Covid to get from a cracked tooth, via an extraction to the final implant.  Frankly, it was lovely to be able to sleep with my mouth closed for a change - these are the small but significant triumphs of my modern life.  

Exhibition Highs: Dressing the Georgians at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace; Treasures of Gold & Silver Wire at the City Guild (an exhibition which admirably delivered what was on the tin); Colour at the Ashmolean Museum; Sikh's at the Wallace Collection... 

Books: The Holkham Album; Sea Change by Amanda Phillips; Palestinan embroidery everywhere; so many books so little time...

June 2023 took me and a group of textile enthusiasts on a textile tour of Leiden and Den Haag following in the steps of Michael Nix and the wool 'damasks' of Norwich.  It was a fascinating trip - I learned so much about the wool trade in the 17th an 18th centuries - and in good company too.  I recommend Michael's book on the Norwich textile trade published by the Norwich Costume & Textile Association.  It is RAMMED with information.  I recommend biting off chunks over the summer while sitting in a deck chair.  Don't eat it all at once. 

My working time was spent largely on desk-top valuations, some of them massive in scale, some for insurance, some for potential sale, all very interesting, actually, with the odd country house valuation for variety.  This continued right through 2024, culminating in November in a potential desk-top re-valuation of over 7000 items.  That number does give me pause for thought.  I almost hope it doesn't happen, actually. 

In summer of 2024 I worked again with my alma mater (?) Christie's, on the sale of the personal wardrobe of Vivienne Westwood, who stayed true-to-self right up to and beyond death in supporting her favourite causes, ie Amnesty International, Climate Change via her Vivienne Foundation and Greenpeace.  100% of the proceeds went to these charities - that percentage is more usually missing a zero in most such auctions - not Vivienne's.  Hat's off to her.   All her staff were absolutely delightful as well, particularly her archivist, Ellie Burkett, who made my job so much easier than it might have been. 

I've continued on the committee of the Textile Society as their Editor.  The 2024 journal (Text) is due out in early January so I am knee-deep in proofs until the end of November.  The Society has put on some excellent events, such as Shifu weaving at the Garden Museum and Madder Dying at Kew, to name but two, as well as two Antique Textile fairs.  Both of these fairs are such fun - so many nice people to speak to and get to know!  The students who benefited from the funds raised by the fairs were a very interesting crop - they will go far and I'm happy we helped them on their way.

So - Join the Textile Society, come to one of the fairs and support new talent today! 

Pat

November 2024