CHORD Workshop and Call for Papers

Embellished Textiles:
Interpretation and Care of Fine Needlework in Museums and Historic Houses

Wednesday 12 June 2013

University of Wolverhampton, UK

Embellished textiles such as embroidery, lace, netting, fringing and tassels have long been used to add beauty and value to clothing and household furnishings. Great skill and time were required, and the work often included expensive materials such as pearls, sequins, silver and gold. Textile items are particularly prone to the effects of time and embellished items rarely survive in a pristine state that verifies their original status and value. This workshop seeks to explore the interpretation, care and conservation of such artefacts in museums and historic houses. Possible topics might include:

•        The material culture and history of embellished textiles in museums and historic  houses
•        Delicate textiles on open display
•        Interpreting needlework skills
•        Gendered production and use
•        The relationship between embellished textiles and the heritage setting
•        Presentation of degraded and fragmentary artefacts
•        Preventative conservation

To submit a proposal, please send title and abstract of c.300/400 words to Laura Ugolini at l.ugolini@wlv.ac.uk and Margaret Ponsonby at m.ponsonby@wlv.ac.uk by 1 March 2013.

A small fund is available to help cover speakers’ travel and fees. To find out more, please contact Laura Ugolini at l.ugolini@wlv.ac.uk

The workshop will be held in Millennium City Building, located on the University of Wolverhampton’s City campus, just 10 minutes’ walk from Wolverhampton’s bus and train stations.

For further information, please e-mail:
Dr Laura Ugolini at l.ugolini@wlv.ac.uk or Dr Margaret Ponsonby at m.ponsonby@wlv.ac.uk

News about CHORD events can now also be found here: http://retailhistory.wordpress.com/about/

Dr Laura Ugolini
Reader in History

Joint editor, Textile History

School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications MC Building University of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton
WV1 1LY
E-mail: l.ugolini@wlv.ac.uk