Conservation of the Nineteenth Century Silk Embroidered Portieres

Conservation of the Nineteenth Century Portieres for the Ballroom at Farmleigh House by Karen Horton, Independent Textile Conservator

Edward Guinness purchased Farmleigh House & Estate in 1873 and commissioned a major renovation and extension programme between 1881 and 1884 adding the ballroom in 1896. Many of the houses features were commissioned by Guinness including the decorative wood carvings and set of fourteen complimentary portieres for the ballroom and adjacent small drawing room.

Karen’s talk will focus on the conservation of these rare and exquisite textiles which she has undertaken over several years including the treatment methods and materials used to structurally support and protect the silk whilst retaining the integrity of the textiles, and the new hanging display system she has designed allowing them to be displayed for future generations to enjoy.

Karen Horton trained as an archaeological conservator at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, and then chose to specialise in Textile Conservation, training at the Textile Conservation Centre in the United Kingdom. Karen works internationally as an independent textile conservator for museums and heritage institutions. In Ireland she conserves a diverse range of textile objects including historic Tibetan Thangkas and Imperial Chinese Dragon Robes for the Chester Beatty Museum to the conservation of Hinamatsuri Dolls, for Farmleigh House and the robes of the Knights of the Order of St Patrick for Dublin Castle.

Tickets are free for this heritage Week event but advance booking is essential. Suitable for over 12s.