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Reproduction
of Bradford Table Carpet
Summary of the Reproduction Story
Exhibit a show
The Nirenokai, the group of embroiderers
I preside over and who are now happy to show their work, a reproduction
of the Bradford Table Carpet which is one of the finest examples of
English needlework of the 16th century. Worked in tent stitch with
coloured silk on a linen canvas, it used to belong to the collection
of the Earl of Bradford, but it is now housed at the Victoria and
Albert Museum in London.
It was at one of my exhibitions that I was asked if there were any
antique needlepoint works being exhibited. Not until I explained that
they are so precious that most of them are generally preserved in
foreign museums, did I realize that people in Japan have had little
chance to see antique needlepoint works.
Therefore, I decided to reproduce the Bradford Table Carpet, but while
reproducing the piece, I had a somewhat curious feeling about the
work, which was originally made 430 years ago, being reproduced in
the computer age. This age discrepancy might have been one of the
reasons for difficulties we had during the reproduction.
Since I did not have the antique needlepoint work in front of me to
refer to, finding the appropriate procedure, technique, stitch or
colour was often a frustrating, although rewarding, experience. I
regret that I could not find any better method before finishing with
each section. We spent seven whole years completing the work which
is 388.5cm wide and 190.5cm high.
I still hope to show my reproduction to as many Japanese people as
possible, and would be grateful if they kindly understood my passion
and dream for it to be seen for hundreds of years to come.
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