Tapestry thumbnail 1
Tapestry thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Tapestry

1974 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This tapestry was designed by the interior architect Sevil Peach Gence for the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel Hyde Park, as part of an interior and architectural project, carried out by Frederick Gibberd Architects. Although it is large, much of the impact of the piece derives from its innovative use of materials to create contrasting textures.
The weaver Archie Brennan worked from an original drawing as well as a full size sample, hand-woven with the combination of padded leather and suede, by the designer.
The experimental aspect of the piece with contrasting textures and split pieces was originated by the designer, with unusual touches such as the untreated wool by Archie Brennan, which can be seen at the head of each strip. The suede strips that form large blocks of colour were padded behind to increase the sculptural quality of the work.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Tapestry
  • Tapestry
  • Tapestry
  • Tapestry
  • Tapestry
  • Tapestry
  • Tapestry
Materials and techniques
Tapestry woven in wool on cotton warp, woven-in suede
Brief description
Tapestry woven in wool, in seven sections, designed by Sevil Peach Gence, woven by Archie Brennan, Dovecot Studios, the Edinburgh Tapestry Company, Edinburgh, 1974
Physical description
Tapestry woven in wool (mostly undyed) with cotton warps, with some woven-in pockets and panels of suede stitched in place and stuffed. Woven in seven separate sections and later stitched together.
Dimensions
  • Width: 683cm
  • Height: 314cm
Credit line
Given by the Intercontinental Hotel
Object history
This tapestry was designed by the interior architect Sevil Peach Gence for the lobby of the Inter-Continental Hotel at Hyde Park Corner, London. The tapestry was installed as part of an interior and architectural project undertaken by the architects Frederick Gibberd for whom Peach Gence then worked. The shapes and forms of the tapestry reflected the two decorative walls at the main entrance stair of the Intercontinental Hotel, also designed by Sevil Peach Gence. It appears that the tapestry was also displayed on the staircase in the ballroom of the hotel before coming to the V&A.

Registered File number 1994/1242.
Production
Not clear whether Archie Brennan was the Director of weaving, or sole weaver on this project
Made for the Inter-Continental Hotel, London.
Summary
This tapestry was designed by the interior architect Sevil Peach Gence for the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel Hyde Park, as part of an interior and architectural project, carried out by Frederick Gibberd Architects. Although it is large, much of the impact of the piece derives from its innovative use of materials to create contrasting textures.
The weaver Archie Brennan worked from an original drawing as well as a full size sample, hand-woven with the combination of padded leather and suede, by the designer.
The experimental aspect of the piece with contrasting textures and split pieces was originated by the designer, with unusual touches such as the untreated wool by Archie Brennan, which can be seen at the head of each strip. The suede strips that form large blocks of colour were padded behind to increase the sculptural quality of the work.
Collection
Accession number
T.647:1 to 7-1994

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Record createdJuly 17, 2008
Record URL
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