Online Lecture | Curatorial Insights: Restoration of the Kings Apartments at Hampton Court Palace with Annabel Westman

Restoring an historic interior back to a certain date in the past can be fraught with problems without a sound and coherent philosophy to determine what one hopes to achieve and why. A good example is the restoration of King William III’s state apartment at Hampton Court Palace. The apartment was originally furnished around 1700, when court ceremonial was at its peak, then altered over the years, but badly burnt in a fire in 1986.

This presentation provides a behind the scenes insight to the decisions made before undertaking the restoration of this important space. What sources of information were available to affect decisions made? What were the major influences shaping the apartments’ design over the years and why select a particular period for its restoration? What were the budgets available at the time of its creation and the financial restrictions in its refurnishing?

Questions such as these (and many others) will be discussed in this interactive talk. There will be a particular emphasis on textiles, the surviving objects, and the rich history of the baroque Hampton Court Palace.

Annabel Westman FSA is an independent textile historian and consultant. For over 45 years she has specialised in researching textile furnishings in wide variety of historic houses, museums and royal palaces in the UK and abroad, and has been instrumental in their replacement. She has been involved in the research and provided specifications for the restoration of a number of historic interiors and their grand beds, including those at Dumfries and Harewood. Her research has been based on examination of the surviving structures, archival documentation and other contemporary sources. She has lectured widely and written extensively in academic journals. Her book Fringe, Frog and Tassel: The Art of the Trimmings-Maker in Interior Decoration was published in November 2019. Annabel is also Director Emerita of The Attingham Trust, for the study of historic houses and collections.

This event is presented online only using a digital webinar platform. A link and instructions on joining the event will be sent to ticketholders prior to the event.

PLEASE NOTE: This event will be presented live at the scheduled time AEST. Unfortunately, there will not be a recording available for post-event viewing.

This program is generously supported by The Sir Wilfred and C H (Roger) Brookes Charitable Trust.

Image: Great Closet at Hampton Court Palace. © Historic Royal Palaces. Photo: James Brittain