Between 2015 and 2018, we had the very great pleasure of undertaking the de-installation, conservation and re-installation of 12 costumed funeral effigies for display in Westminster Abbey’s new galleries.
Hidden Treasures
Family heirlooms
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, samplers, wedding gowns and vintage costume as well as providing suitable storage and display will help ensure their longevity for future generations of your family to enjoy. …
Mounting two Beatrices
A new display at Smallhythe House, Ellen Terry’s Tudor cottage now in the care of the National Trust, opened just before the whole world stopped because of the pandemic. Even though it has not been possible for visitors to see the new season’s display yet we we would like to share some of our insights …
A Wonderful Waterproofed Smock from Worthing Museum
A late 19th Century English Sussex waterproofed smock in vulnerable condition from the collection of the Worthing Museum has recently been conserved partly as an ICON/HLF funded internship project started some years ago. Initial work was undertaken by Mira when an intern at the ZTC Studio but the more complex adhesive treatment required for the …
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Conservation of the Manchester smoking jacket
Treatment is now complete on a decadent aubergine silk man’s smoking jacket from Manchester Art Gallery for their exhibition Dandy Style opening on 4th February 2021. The conservation was undertaken by Jamie Robinson and was generously funded by the Costume Society’s own Elizabeth Hammond Conservation Grant to ensure the jacket’s longevity on and after display. …
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Doggett’s uniforms at Fishmonger’s
The Doggett’s Race, a four mile race on the Thames passing under 11 bridges began in 1715 and is believed to be the oldest continually competed sporting event in the world. Started by Thomas Doggett, manager of the Drury Lane Theatre the race taken over by the Fishmongers’ Livery Company after his death in 1722. …
David Bowie at the V&A
In 2012 four iconic David Bowie costumes chosen for the V&A Bowie exhibition were conserved by ZTC. The exhibition went on to be one of the museums most successful shows and toured overseas. My favourite was the incredible suit that Bowie wore during “The Man Who Sold the World” tour which was based on the …
Royal Courts of Justice Legal and Judicial Costume Collection
This article by our former administrator Victoria Haddock was first published in the Costume Society Newsletter, Autumn 2019 In 2018, Zenzie Tinker was delighted to be appointed as the Advisor for Conservation and Display of the Legal Costume Collection at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The collection of legal and judicial costume and …
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Charleston: Orlando at the Present Time
Charleston’s inaugural exhibition held in the Wolfson Galleries opened in September 2018 with ‘Orlando at the Present Time’, marking the 90 years since the first publication of Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando: A Biography. The exhibition included contemporary interpretations alongside rarely seen letters, photographs and objects connected to the original publication of the novel. Also on …
Stepping into the scene
By Caterina Celada Prior, Intern at ZTC Summer 2019. This summer I moved from the Scottish Glasgow rain to the sunny Brighton to spend an excellent time as intern at Zenzie Tinker Conservation studio, following the first year of the MPhil in Textile Conservation from the University of Glasgow. I have enjoyed my time working …