ABSTRACT
Dating from the 1870s, the large chenille carpet from the dining room of Cragside, a National Trust property, required full remedial conservation. The carpet is considered to be one of the last few hand-woven chenille examples attributed to James Templeton & Co. After 100 years’ continuous use within the family home and a further 50 years on display by the National Trust, the carpet showed serious signs of damage. Conservation of a carpet of this size, weight, and weave complexity was unprecedented within the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio. With an initial overview of the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio and chenille carpet production, this case study discusses new practices, treatments, and professional relationships developed in response to the challenges presented when undertaking remedial conservation. The treatments include mechanical and aqueous cleaning, adhesive patch removal, and stitch stabilization along with the display and future care of the carpet. The care of historic carpets within the National Trust has in recent years come to the forefront with longer property opening hours, greater visitor numbers, and more extensive access. Practices developed within this project have been used to inform subsequent carpet conservation treatments furthering an ever-expanding body of knowledge.
