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Esther and Ahasuerus
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Director PJ Keeling
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Esther and Ahasuerus 22 Jan 2015
Zardi & Zardi's Replica Tapestries To Feature In Major BBC Drama - Wolf Hall - Tonight!
Zardi & Zardi

Modern historic wall hanging experts, Zardi & Zardi, are excited to announce their involvement in providing set decoration for the highly anticipated BBC television drama Wolf Hall. Adapted from the award-winning novel by Hilary Mantel, the major six-part series will feature four reproduction printed tapestries from Zardi & Zardi's Unique Commissions service and their Bespoke Collection. 

Commissioned in January 2014 by Company Pictures, Zardi & Zardi made replicas of three celebrated tapestries from the historic collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London. As a registered licensee of the museum, Zardi & Zardi were able to work closely with the V&A who undertook a considerable amount of research to source each tapestry. Not only did the enormous textiles have to match the correct historical period (1510-1520) but they also needed to depict the mood of the production. Olivia Stroud, Image Licensing Manager at the V&A, helped Company Pictures to make their final selection, choosing the religious scene of Esther and Ahasuerus as well as two tapestries from the Devonshire Hunting series. In addition to these tapestries, Zardi & Zardi were also commissioned to replicate the famousSalomon et la Reine de Saba tapestry which were sourced from the Musée Grobet-Labadié in Marseille, France. 

The project took full advantage of 21st century technologies as it digitally manipulated the tapestry of Ether and Ahasuerus to meet the requirements of the Artistic Director. The tapestry plays a prominent part during a scene with Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII. The frame shows Anne Boleyn holding her hands in a clasp position; the tapestry was edited to portray Esther holding her hands in the same clasp, as well as editing her hair and eye colourings to match those of Anne Boleyn's.

Using state of the art techniques and equipment, the replicas were then printed onto drops of Belgium linen and hand stitched together to create vast wall hangings, which can be seen throughout the Wolf Hall drama series.  

“It was a very enjoyable project and presented some exciting challenges”, says Zardi & Zardi Director PJ Keeling, “The most notable for me was the sourcing of the original 'Salomon et la Reine de Saba'; as this tapestry is referenced throughout the novel, it was of great importance that we found the correct piece. Our investigations lead us to a museum in the South of France, which had a very good example of the tapestry. But to our dismay, we also discovered that the museum was closed for major renovation work! However, in the end we managed to negotiate access and the finished result is marvellous.” 

Staring Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell, Damian Lewis as Henry VIII of England and Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn. Wolf Hall will broadcast weekly on BBC Two from the 21st January 2015 at 9pm for six weeks.

 

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For high resolution images or more information please call Pia Cato on 01452 814777 or email at Pia@zardiandzardi.co.uk.

 

Notes to editors:

  • Wolf Hall references to the Salomon et la Reine de Saba (King Solomon greeting the Queen of Sheba):

“Behind the cardinal is a tapestry, hanging the length of the wall. King Solomon, his hands stretched into darkness, is greeting the Queen of Sheba.” (Mantel. H, 2009, Wolf Hall, p21)

“Behind the Cardinal, moving a little in the draft, King Solomon bows, his face obscured. The Queen of Sheba—smiling, light-footed—reminds him [Cromwell] of the young widow he lodged with when he lived in Antwerp. Since they had shared a bed, should he have married her? In honor, yes. But if he had married Anselma he couldn't have married Liz; and his children would be different children from the ones he has now.” (Mantel. H, 2009, Wolf Hall, p23)

                                  

  • Launched in 2004, at the start of the digital fabric printing revolution, Zardi & Zardi have grown to become the leading company in the reproduction of tapestries printed on to the luxury linens.
  • Classic Collection wall hangings are priced from £1,100.00 and can be shipped worldwide for a delivery charge.
  • Bespoke Collection and Unique Commissions, price on application.
  • Zardi & Zardi wall hangings and fabric panels can be viewed at the Tissus d'Helene Showroom, 421 Design Centre East, Chelsea Harbour, London, SW10 0XF +44 (0) 207 352 9977.
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