Strangers’ Hall, Norwich, part of Norfolk Museum Services.
Strangers’ Hall dates back to 1320, grade I listed it is one of Norwich’s oldest and most fascinating buildings and now a museum of domestic history.
The Tudor and Stuart rooms are brought to life through the decoration and volunteers in period costume, telling the stories of the prominent people who once lived there. Visitors can explore rooms decorated with period objects and textiles of the time, reflecting Norwich’s importance as a wool weaving centre. Highlights include the Tudor Great Hall, The Great Chamber, The Georgian Dining Room and the 17th Century Bedroom.
You may also be interest in our related articles; ‘The Wool Trade of East Anglia’ and ‘Norwich Wool Stuff’
The Georgian Dining Room
Silk and Wool Damask for Swag drapes.
Humphries Weaving supplied traditional 21 inch wide Silk and Wool Damask used for Swag Drapes on the deep sash windows of the Georgian Dining Room. The swags were made by textile artist Sue Foster.
Silk and Wool fabrics are also referred to as ‘half silks’. In the eighteenth Century, the popularity of wool weaving began to decrease to make way for more fashionable silk fabrics. The cottage weavers of Norwich adapted to this and were able to prolong their weaving system, by skillfully combining wool and silk weaving, well into the 19th Century.
A similar design and colouring can be seen at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire.
Project reference: 2181/1
Photo of the Georgian Dining Room with kind permission of Strangers’ Hall Norwich, part of Norfolk Museums Service
