We hope to move back to the University Women’s Club at the earliest opportunity. Until then, all events will be transmitted by Zoom. A link will be sent to members before each talk.

Programme of forthcoming talks

Wednesday 20 January at 18.00.

A Carpet Ride to Khiva. The lecture story of the UNESCO silk carpet workshop established by Chris Aslan and the Timurid carpet designs of the 15th century, illuminated manuscripts and their depictions of carpets, sericulture, and natural dye-techniques used.

Wednesday 10 February at 18.00.

My Life with Double Ikat. ORTS Member Claude Delmas talks about her double ikat collection

Wednesday 24 February at 18.00.

People of the Wind a 1976 film about the Bakhtiari migration. Anthony Wynn will preside. To be broadcast from University Women’s Club, London subject to Tier Four UK Covid restrictions, and by Zoom.

Wednesday 24 March at 18.00.

Macau and its Textile Trade with Portugal a talk by Dr Maria João Ferreira live from Lisbon via Zoom.

Sunday 18 April at 12.00. SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION DEPENDING ON COVID RESTRICTIONS

Picnic at the Horniman Museum and Gardens. Bring your own picnic and meet other ORTS members, and take in a visit to the Horniman Museum’s World Gallery (free entry) which includes a display of Indonesian batiks and other textiles from around the world.

The Horniman Museum is at 100 London Road, Forest Hill. Forest Hill is on the London Overground, 15 minutes from London Bridge by train, and is also served by buses.

Wednesday 21 April at 18.00.

AGM of the Oriental Rug and Textile Society.

Wednesday 25 May at 18.00.

From Sarong to Sari a talk by Maria Wronska-Friend live from Australia via Zoom on Rabindranath Tagore’s fascination with batik from Java.

Tuesday 15 June 11.30.

Visit to Lewes, Sussex to view Prof Paul Benjamin’s Collection of SW Persian Rugs and Bags. Restricted numbers, and arrangements likely to be revised.

Wednesday 16 June 11.00. Time to be confirmed.

Visit to Brighton, Sussex to the Brighton Museum to view The Green Collection of Burmese material.

Sunday 4 July 11.00 for a 12.30 lunch.

ORTS Summer Party at Geoffrey Saba’s home, South London. ORTS Annual Auction at about 13.30.