From state beds and enormous 400-year-old tapestries to much-loved family christening gowns, we are proud to count some of the most prestigious cultural, heritage and arts organisations in the world amongst our clients, as well as conserving items from private and domestic collections. Below are just a few of the organisations we have had the pleasure to work with.
Centuries old home to the Dukes of Norfolk, Arundel Castle is one of the grandest stately homes still in private ownership. We are honoured to have be been involved in the care of many of the amazing textiles in the collection over the past two decades, including their significant “Nouvelles Indes” series of tapestries, suites of George II chairs and an exquisite 17th century raised work casket.
The European headquarters for the company in the heart of the City of London opened in 2017 with permanent artworks incorporated into the fabric of the building as well as Bloomberg SPACE, their cultural hub. Read about how we help look after their permanent textile installations.
We are delighted to have a close relationship with Brighton & Hove Museums for whom we have undertaken numerous projects over the years including Fashioning Africa at Brighton Museum and Stephen Jones Hats at the Royal Pavilion.
Our work at beautiful Canterbury Cathedral includes a project to conserve the historic military colours in the Buffs chapel and the conservation of the Red Vine altar frontal now regularly in use on the High Altar.
We love our role of advising on textile conservation at Charleston, the stunning 16th century farmhouse in East Sussex that became the country retreat of the Bloomsbury Group in 1916. A recent project was mounting costumes for the new Wolfson Galleries’ opening exhibition, ‘Orlando at the Present Time’.
Work carried out at Chertsey Museum, home to the exceptional Olive Matthews Collection includes the conservation of a Worth dress. The beautiful late 19th century gown was a central exhibit in their recent Dressed for Best exhibition.
We are honoured to have been commissioned by The Dubai Cultural & Arts Authority in the United Arab Emirates to conserve and mount 10 embroidered panels which once formed part of a number of 19th century Kiswa made for the holy Ka’ba at Mecca.
Work carried out at Fishmonger’s Hall, one of the oldest Livery Halls in the City of London has included the display of their Doggett’s uniforms and the design and manufacture of a bespoke display case for their spectacular embroidered Funeral Pall dating from c 1512-1538.
We have regularly undertaken work for Manchester Art Galleries including the conservation of an iconic Elsa Schiaparelli outfit as worn by Mrs Simpson on the eve of her wedding to the Duke of Windsor and a stunning 19th century aesthetic man’s Smoking jacket for their upcoming Dandies exhibition.
The National Trust has been a valued and regular client over the last two decades during which time we’ve worked on an enormous range of complex projects, including three state beds, tapestries, meters of wall hangings and countless costume as well as advising on display solutions and collections care. Find out more about some of these including our extensive work at Knole, Kipling’s study curtains at Bateman’s, the state bed at Clandon Park, Ellen Terry’s Beetlewing dress at Smallhythe and the Kedleston Hall state bed tester.
Portcullis House, part of the parliamentary estate at Westminster is home to the largest contemporary textile art collection in the UK. Read more about how we developed a maintenance programme with staff for the textiles in the committee rooms, offering career progression for emerging textile conservators.
One of the most well-known museums in the world, the V&A have used our services for exhibitions and collections work. Find out more about our V&A projects including dramatic Diaghilev Ballets Russes costumes designed by Natalia Goncharova, iconic stage costumes for the Bowie is Here exhibition and work on a 16th century funeral pall for the Opus Anglicanum exhibition.
One of our most complex and thrilling projects to date has been for wondrous Westminster Abbey where we were commissioned to undertake the conservation of the Royal Funeral Effigies for the new Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. Explore our Conservation Stories to find out more about this extraordinary work
Another favourite local museum haunt of ours is Worthing Museum & Art Gallery where they hold an exceptional collection of costume. Notable examples worked on by our studio have included a stunning 19th-century waterproof smock and numerous historic hats for an exhibition at the Spielzeug Welten Museum, Switzerland.
At ZTC we give your precious personal collections and family heirlooms as much care and attention as museum objects. Cleaning and repairing family items (such as christening robes, wedding dresses and samplers), repairing your vintage costume and providing suitable storage and display will help ensure their longevity for future generations of your family to enjoy.