Study Day: Opus Anglicanum, British Museum, British Archaeological Association Study Day, 26 November 2015

In the course of the later middle ages, embroiderers in England produced some of the masterpieces of the age. Incredibly detailed and painstakingly created their work was sumptuous and expensive. Often created as church vestments and commissioned by both ecclesiastical and secular patrons, the base textiles were embellished with gold and silver thread, a myriad of coloured silks, pearls and jewels. In advance of an exhibition devoted to this subject matter, and due to open at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2016, the BAA Study Day will examine some of the surviving treasures of Opus Anglicanum in store and on display at the Museum.  The day will begin at The Clothworkers Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion at Blythe House (Kensington Olympia) and will continue in the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries at South Kensington.

Thursday, 26 November 2015
Blythe House

10.00am Welcome and coffee

10.30am Intro of pieces on show (Glyn Davies)

11am Techniques of making

11.30am Close looking and discussion

12.30am Lunch (independent – South Kensington)

V&A

2.00pm Reconvene at the V&A

2.15pm Embroidery displays in the Medieval & Renaissance Galleries (Glyn Davies leading)

3.15pm. Collecting Opus Anglicanum in post-Reformation and Victorian England (Emma Rogers)

3.45pm Discussion

4.15pm End/Tea in the Café

The cost of the day will be £20 for members. The event is free for students, for whom travel grants (to a maximum of £50) are also available.

 Places are limited to 20, of which up to 10 are reserved for students.

 To apply please e-mail Lloyd de Beer – ldebeer@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk –  by Thursday 12th November – either enclosing a cheque for £20 payable to the  ‘British Archaeological Association’ or stating that you are a student. In the event that a greater number of applications are received than there are places available a ballot will be held. Successful candidates will be contacted by email on Monday 16th November.