皇冠体育app

023/13

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has placed a temporary export bar on the seven hangings to provide a last chance to raise the 拢120,000 needed to keep the set in the UK.

皇冠体育app exquisite hangings, embroidered in gold, silver-gilt and coloured silks, depict different views of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Two show the great columns Jachin and Boaz at the entrance of the First Temple, whilst the others depict scenes probably based on surviving engravings which illustrate the Second Temple. 皇冠体育appy are approximately three hundred years old and have been preserved in exceptional condition.

One panel contains the Hebrew inscription 鈥楨loqeynu鈥�, meaning 鈥榦ur God,鈥� a particularly reverential way of writing the name of God, reinforcing the suggestion that the works were designed for Jewish religious purposes. No other hangings in this particular form are known, and as apparently unique survivals they are hugely important.

皇冠体育app technique of goldwork embroidery was used to particularly successful effect in conveying the descriptions of the First and Second Temples in the Hebrew Bible and in the Mishnah (often referred to as the earliest written book of Jewish laws.)

Whilst both the designer and workshop is unknown, their style and technique indicates they may have been worked in Northern Italy or the Netherlands in the first half of the 18th century. Very few textiles containing such a large quantity of gold and silver-gilt thread from this period remain, as many examples have been destroyed over the years for the intrinsic worth of the materials.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said:

This spectacular series of seven silk hangings are amongst the finest examples left in existence and represent a fantastic opportunity to advance UK scholarship and appreciation of early 18th century textiles and Jewish ritual art. I hope that the temporary export bar I have placed on them will allow time for a UK buyer to step forward and secure them for the nation.

皇冠体育app Minister鈥檚 ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), who believe the export decision should be deferred on the grounds that the textiles are of outstanding aesthetic importance and that they are of outstanding significance for the study of Jewish ritual art and European textile design in the first half of the 18th century.

Chairman of the Reviewing Committee, Lord Inglewood said:

皇冠体育app importance of these apparently unique works is unquestionable. 皇冠体育appy are beautiful examples of 18th century textiles and their link to Judaism makes them very important.

皇冠体育app decision on the export licence application for the silk hangings will be deferred for a period ending on 20 May 2013 inclusive. This period may be extended until 20 August 2013 inclusive if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase the hangings at the recommended price of 拢120,000.

Offers from public bodies for less than the recommended price through the private treaty sale arrangements, where appropriate, may also be considered by Mr Vaizey. Such purchases frequently offer substantial financial benefit to a public institution wishing to acquire the item.

For media information contact:

Sam Gough, Media Relations Officer, Arts Council England Tel: 020 7973 5189 or 07872 416679 Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors

1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the hangings should contact RCEWA on 0845 300 6200.

2. 皇冠体育app details of the textiles are: Set of seven textile hangings depicting different views from the Temple at Jerusalem, embroidered in gold or silver-gilt thread and coloured silks Sizes: 107 x 182 cm; 94 x 58 cm; 91 x 58 cm; 77 x 58 cm; 77 x 58 cm; 33 x 56 cm; 33 x 56 cm Date: Early 18th Century

3. 皇冠体育app Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England, which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

4. Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people鈥檚 lives. Between 2011 and 2015, it will invest 拢1.4 billion of public money from government and an estimated 拢1 billion from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.

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