Exhibition
Chintz: Cotton in Bloom
18 May 2021 – 12 Sep 2021
Regular hours
- Tuesday
- 11:00 – 18:00
- Wednesday
- 11:00 – 18:00
- Thursday
- 11:00 – 18:00
- Friday
- 11:00 – 18:00
- Saturday
- 11:00 – 18:00
Cost of entry
Adults: £12.65*
Concessions: £11.55*
Students: £10.45
Children under 12: free
*Includes 10% Gift Aid donation
Address
- 83 Bermondsey Street
- London
- SE1 3XF
- United Kingdom
Travel Information
- Train and Tube: London Bridge
Chintz: Cotton in Bloom is a collection with an extraordinary story, spanning hundreds of years and thousands of miles.
About
The complicated technical craftsmanship required to fix bright dyes to cotton, devised across centuries and using complex chemical formulae, meant that for many years Chintz was a closely guarded secret, or preserve of the elite. However, by the 18th century chintz had become more widely accessible. The lightweight, washable, gaily coloured and boldly patterned cottons eventually became a sensation throughout England and across Europe. These developments resulted in the intricate, colourful flowers of chintz fabric being cherished and preserved by generations.
Chintz: Cotton in Bloom showcases some 150 examples of this treasured textile, originating from all around the world; from mittens to wall hangings and from extravagant 18th-century sun hats to stylish mourning dresses.
