Jewish Embroidered Hangings at Waddesdon Manor

October 16, 2014

Saved for the nation: Acquisition of Jewish embroidered hangings by the Rothschild Foundation, Waddesdon Manor, 26 March 2014-25 October 2015. Read our full review in HALI issue 181.

Waddesdon Manor has recently become the setting for an apparently unique set of heavily gold-embroidered Jewish hangings – one larger centrepiece, and six smaller panels – which were probably worked in northern Italy, perhaps Venice, during the first half of the 18th century. The Jewish embroideries were consigned in 2013 to a leading London dealer by the private English collection that had owned them since the early 20th century. However, they were ‘export stopped’ by the British ‘heritage’ authorities. As a result they were acquired ‘for the nation’ by the Rothschild Foundation and housed at Waddesdon.

Hanging, Italian or Dutch; c 1700; silk, metal, linen and cotton; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (Rothschild Family Trusts). Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

The set of embroideries may have been intended for a particular space in a synagogue, or a domestic setting for prayer. They are thought to depict interior views of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, perhaps based on descriptions in the biblical Book of Kings. The panels’ anonymous embroiderers have skilfully created the effect of architectural stonework, marble, gilded wood, metal and luxury silks using a variety of needlework techniques.

Hanging, Italian or Dutch; c 1700; silk, metal, linen and cotton; Waddesdon, The Rothschild Collection (Rothschild Family Trusts). Photo: Mike Fear © The National Trust, Waddesdon Manor