Elizabethan Treasures: The Hardwick Hall Textiles [Hardcover]

Santina M. Levey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998

Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, England, houses a world-famous collection of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century textiles. The fact that these exquisite pillow covers, wall hangings, bedcovers, carpets, and upholsteries, many decorated with superb embroidery, have survived in such good condition is little short of miraculous, and due in part to the formidable Countess of Shrewsbury, better known as Bess of Hardwick, who built the house in the 1590s. In her will, Bess instructed her heirs to 'have speciall care and regard to p'serve the same from all manner of wett, mothe and other hurte or spoyle thereof'. In this first illustrated and scholarly account of the collection, Santina Levey places the textiles in their day to day context. Using ledgers and other archival material she describes the origins of the different types of textiles, whether purchased ready-made or put together and decorated by embroiderers, whose work is illustrated by stunning close-up details. Inventories, letters, and personal reminiscences are used to chart the later history of the house and the inevitable alterations that four hundred years of use wrought on the original furnishings. Complete with a glossary and bibliography, this is an invaluable source of information for anyone interested in Elizabethan textiles.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 107 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810963531
• ISBN-13: 978-0810963535
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,773,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elizabethan Treasures - A Treasure, March 25, 2000

By 

Shari Carrasco (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elizabethan Treasures: The Hardwick Hall Textiles (Hardcover)

I haven't put this book down. The pictures and illustrations are beautiful and the text is interesting and informative. As a member of an historical recreation group I find this book is a "treasure" itself. I have been inspired by its contents and am all ready planning several projects. If you have an interest in the history of embroidery, textiles, or the history of Bess of Hardwick Hall and the Elizabethan world, this is a book you will enjoy!

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Scholarship and Understanding of Technique, June 17, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elizabethan Treasures: The Hardwick Hall Textiles (Hardcover)

Santina Levey is well known and admired in the circles of textile history, research and curatorship. This is a book that will appeal to the historian, the feminist, the needleworker, the restorer and the reader who simply wants to hear a rousing good story about fascinating characters. The plates are excellent. A good read and a good reference all in one. Well Done Ms. Levey, as usual. I eagerly await the catalogue.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have book for Elizabethan research, January 16, 2001

By 

Megan R McConnell (CHERMSIDE SOUTH, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elizabethan Treasures: The Hardwick Hall Textiles (Hardcover)

This is a terrific book. It not only gives a good look at the Hardwick Hall textiles, but also interesting insights into the motivations and prejudices of the Hardwick family at that time.

Great photographs and descritpions give a total view of the textiles and the life and interests of one Elizabethan family.