A behind the scenes visit to National Trust property Ightham Mote in Kent to see its historic wallpapers: Chinese export, Gothic, leatherpaper and more. The tour will be led by WHS chair and NT paper conservation advisor Andrew Bush together with WHS member Anne-Marie Jordan, volunteer at Ightham Mote. She has recently completed an MA thesis entitled: "Patterns and Textures of a Country House: What Ightham Mote’s Wallpapers Can Reveal About the History of the House, its Owners and Society".
Ightham Mote is a perfectly preserved medieval moated Manor House. Its architecture and decoration trace the development of the English country house with wallpapers dating back to the mid 18th century. By the time of our visit the house will be closed to visitors; we have however arranged special access to showrooms with historic wallpapers along with the archived wallpapers in store. The most significant wallpaper is the Chinese export wallpaper, circa 1750, which still hangs in the Drawing Room. The hand coloured printed sections depicting flowering trees, picturesque rocks and birds must be amongst the largest prints to have come out of China. We will meet mid morning in the café for coffee and then proceed to the house to view wallpapers in the showrooms. There will be a break for lunch, which can be bought in the café, after which we will return to the house to look at stored wallpaper including early Gothic wallpaper and late Victorian imitation gilt leather wallpaper. Visit fee: GBP20 includes coffee and biscuit on arrival, GBP25 for non WHS members accompanying members (priority will be given to WHS members). NB There is no reduction for NT members, the charge covers administrative costs and helps support the activities of the Wallpaper History Society. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote Ightham Mote (TN15 0NT) is 7 miles from the M25, and close to Sevenoaks, KENT. Booking forms will be emailed to members; if you are a member and haven’t received one please request one by emailing [email protected] using the subject line ‘Ightham Mote Event'. You can download a PDF of the booking form here: http://www.wallpaperhistorysociety.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Ightham-Mote-visit-info-booking-form.pdf The Society welcomes membership applications. Please contact [email protected] for further details, or visit http://www.wallpaperhistorysociety.org.uk. ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
