Our new intimate exhibition, Tales of Textiles: The RSN Collection in Focus highlights the life of key pieces from the Royal School of Needlework’s Collection & Archive with a focus on English embroidery. Objects on display span three centuries and tell a story of wear and use, protection and care, tradition and innovation, and stitchers domestic and professional.
The exhibition takes place in one of our Embroidery Studios at Hampton Court Palace and will run from 25 September 2024 to June 2025. Bookings start from £25 per person.
RSN Curator, Dr Isabella Rosner says: “Through these pieces we see not only connections between who embroiders and who uses embroidery, but also the ever present hand of the maker and the user, their humanity evident in every stitch.”
The display features many of the RSN’s first 100 objects to be digitised and catalogued and provides an opportunity to see them up close and hear their stories. “Though this exhibition’s focus is on the United Kingdom, it will include embroidered objects from all around the world which influenced how Englishwomen and men approached needlework. The history of embroidery is a conversation, and that dialogue will be present throughout the display,” adds Isabella.
Exhibits will include a fragile embroidered mirror frame dated 1653, a Georgian man’s waistcoat, and a late 19th century Royal School of Needlework-designed cushion cover all pictured below.
RSN Talks with a Private View are offered to a maximum of 15 visitors per session.
We do not issue tickets for our events and you do not need paid entrance to Hampton Court Palace to attend them, but please note that if you also wish to visit HCP, tickets must be purchased separately. RSN visitors will be met at the HCP Security Office 15 minutes before each event.
Curator Talk & Private View
The Curator Talk & Private View lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes (exhibition style, folded chairs are available for seating) and begins with an illustrated lecture by RSN Curator, Isabella Rosner who will reveal in-depth information about the RSN Collection and why she chose the objects on display as well as relaying some of the fascinating stories and facts about them.
Isabella will also provide historical context and background about the Royal School of Needlework.
After this you will have the opportunity to examine exhibits in close detail with Isabella and your tour guide and have access to relevant parts of our handling Collection. Curator Talk & Private View events cost £35 per person.
Talk & Private View
Our Talk & Private View lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes (exhibition style, folded chairs are available for seating) and begins with a 40 minute illustrated lecture from an RSN staff member.
The presentation will give you in-depth information about the exhibition as well as background information about the Royal School of Needlework.
After your talk, you will be shown objects from Tales of Textiles: The RSN Collection in Focus by one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides. Talk & Private View events cost £25 per person.
Group Talk & Private View
Our Group Talk & Private View, for groups of 2 to 15 people, lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes (exhibition style, folded chairs are available for seating) and begins with a 40 minute illustrated lecture from an RSN staff member.
The presentation will give you in-depth information about the exhibition as well as background information about the Royal School of Needlework.
After your talk, you will be shown objects from Tales of Textiles: The RSN Collection in Focus by one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides. A Group Talk & Private View costs £375.