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PROGRAMME OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Live talks take place at the University Women's Club in Mayfair. We stream some talks, usually from overseas speakers, via Zoom. Whenever possible, talks are recorded and made available to members via the Members' Area of the website.

We also organise trips and tours for members and their guests. These are advertised in the monthly newsletters.

So far this year there have been two visits: in February a curator-led visit to Leighton House in Kensington, and in April a behind-the-scenes visit to Brighton Museum to see Burmese textiles not on display, as well as having a guided tour of the Royal Pavilion. Another private visit to Christie's for a preview of the recent sale including items from George Farrow's collection took place in late April.  Details of forthcoming visits appear in the members' newsletters.

Our next event

Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

Lecture by William Robinson: ‘Woven memories: 40 years in the carpet market.’ University Women’s Club. 1800 for 18.30.

William Robinson.jpg

‘Woven memories: 40 years in the carpet market.’

 

In his talk William Robinson will discuss his time at Christie's, from his start in 1982 when Christie’s sold a vase carpet for what was then a huge figure of £99,000, but when they also had sales almost every other week. The majority of rugs were not illustrated, and the market was then dominated by a small group of dealers. Passing through the heady days of Heriz and Aubusson crazes in the later 1980s, and the near closing of the department in 1990, William will discuss various changes in the market, the increasing internationality of it, and the developments that saw many more private buyers throughout Christie's, including for carpets. He will go on to discuss some of the more prominent and memorable carpets he has handled, including the landmark Bernheimer and Halevim sales of 1996 and 2001, as well as some of the circumstances and people around them. An evening of rugs, raconteurs and the occasional racket! 

 

William Robinson started in the Islamic Art and Carpet department at Christie's in 1982 knowing, he says, nothing about the field, and expected to learn on the job. He headed that department for nearly 25 years from 1990 until 2013 when he took on a broader Christie's role.  He retained his interest in carpets, acting as auctioneer and occasional business-getter in the field until his relatively recent retirement. He is currently working on various projects including the Saudi Biennale of Islamic Art.  

Guests welcome. Please contact Dimity Spiller to enquire.

More dates for your diary
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for details

​Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Sumru Belger Krody of the Textile Museum, Washington: ‘19th century equestrian textiles.’

Via Zoom. Time tbc

​Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Show and Tell, Christmas Party and AGM

University Women’s Club. 1800 for 18.30.

Society talks are normally held at the University Women's Club 

in South Audley Square just behind the Dorchester Hotel. Talks start at 7pm. 

 

Both Green Park and Hyde Park Corner tube stations are a short walk away. Free street parking

after 6.30pm (Tilney St, Stanhope Gate, Hill St, Waverton St, Curzon St, Chesterfield Gardens)

 

Guests are welcome to attend for £7 a single lecture. Students £5. 

Membership of one year for all events from £30.

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EVENTS IN DETAIL

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