In 2014 a team of conservators from the Rug and Carpet Studio carried out conservation treatment to an Axminster carpet on display in the Tapestry room at Nostell priory in Yorkshire. A property owned and run by the National Trust.

The carpet was too large and fragile to be moved to our workshops therefore the work to the carpet had to be undertaken on site.

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Due to the opening hours of the property and the public access in the room in which the carpet was housed, the majority of the treatment was carried out as part of ‘Conservation in Action’. This is an initiative widely used by the National Trust to enable the general public to view conservation work in progress. This increases awareness of the field of conservation and gives visitors a greater understanding of the type and extent of treatment carried out to works of art within an historic property such as this.

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Support stitching passing the needle between conservators on top and underneath the carpet

Treatment included surface cleaning the front and reverse of the carpet. Support work to damaged fragile areas and the re-aligning and stabilising of fraying pile. The work was carried out over a period of two weeks by a team of three conservators and the assistance of fantastic house staff and volunteers.

On site work has many restrictions and places a strain on the body where working conditions are difficult. However the treatment was a success leaving the carpet durable for many years to come.