A collection of historic textiles, many of which have never been on display to the public before, can now be seen in a new exhibition called 'Pwyth a Gweu - Stitch and Weave' at Llanerchaeron, near Aberaeron.
Tapestries, woven textiles, and embroidery dating back to the17th, 18th and 19th centuries have been hand selected from the Pamela Ward Collection. Each item reveals Pamela’s broad interest in textiles, sharing a variety of woven styles, historical periods, and embellishment techniques.
Pamela Ward (1908–94) was an avid and eclectic collector of collectables and ephemera. In the 1960s she opened an antiques shop in Knightsbridge where she sold ‘little things she liked’.
After her death in 1994, her entire collection of over 5,000 objects, along with many of her personal possessions and documents was donated to The National Trust at Llanerchaeron.
A highlight of the exhibition is the first chance to see a fragment from a 300-year-old tapestry in the collection called 'Diogenes discarding his cup' from a series called 'The Life of Diogenes'. The tapestry is thought to originate from London's famous Mortlake Tapestry Works during the Renaissance period.
Ten unique pieces feature in the exhibition, including a tiny hand-stitched child’s bodice revealing how recycling and reusing clothing has been commonplace throughout history.
Crafted from silk, the fine tamboured embroidered fabric has been pieced together in such a way that suggests the child’s bodice may have been repurposed from another garment such as a gentleman’s waistcoat.
National Trust Cymru Conservator, Clare Stoughton-Harris, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to see these intriguing historic textiles from the Pamela Ward collection on display at Llanerchaeron, some of which have never been on show to the public before."
Some of Pamela’s personal items also feature in the exhibition, including carefully preserved newspaper patterns for needlecraft from the 1940s, pincushions and lavender bags.
Visitors are also invited to try their hand at weaving, stitching and embroidery with mini weaving looms and stitching cards.
Pwyth a Gweu | Stitch and Weave is open on the top floor of the Georgian villa at Llanercharon until 5 November 2023. The exhibition is free, with usual admission charges applying.
Llanerchaeron is open daily.
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