Introducing the Throne Canopy
Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation
Date: 14 July 2016
Author: Nikki Chard
Welcome to our QATC blog where we will be regularly sharing progress on the conservation and redisplay of our new acquisition: a Queen Anne Throne Canopy.
We think that this might be the earliest and most complete British royal canopy of state anywhere outside of the royal palaces; it is a superb example and we are very fortunate and excited to have it in our collection.
Image: Queen Anne throne canopy project logo © Historic Royal Palaces
We will tell the story of the throne canopy, initially from the point of view of the curator who will explain the history and significance and then from the conservator’s perspective where we will talk about the conservation challenges we are facing.
We hope you’ll enjoy reading about this fascinating object over the next few months through to its installation in the King’s Presence Chamber at Kensington Palace in 2017.
Nikki Chard
Textile Conservator
Acquired with the assistance of the Art Fund. Conserved with assistance from Lord Barnby’s Foundation, Idlewild Trust, The Radcliffe Trust, The Leche trust, Broadley Charitable Trust and the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers. We are grateful for their support.
More from our blog
A Project To Dye For! Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation
20 September 2016
It has been a time consuming process dyeing the support fabrics, net, ribbons and threads needed in the conservation of the throne canopy - 42 individual materials have been dyed to date! This requires accurate measurement, a steady hand, and above all, a meticulous eye for colour.
Queen Anne's Throne Canopy Conservation: Where Should it Go?
01 September 2016
In the Presence Chamber at Kensington Palace, HRP’s building surveyors unexpectedly discovered historic fixings in the corner of the room, suggesting that a throne canopy would have stood there in the 18th century.
Kensington Palace Gains a Throne Canopy
06 December 2017
After its doors briefly closed, the Presence Chamber at Kensington Palace has reopened with a throne canopy sitting pride of place as you enter the room.