Underfoot and overlooked: Conservation treatment of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British carpets in historic houses

Carpets are often neglected within the decorative arts even though they enhance architect-designed interiors and furniture of the highest quality. Moreover, conservation of carpets is also seldom reported. This paper provides insights into the conservation of British-made carpets based on the author's experience over 25 years as a specialist in carpet conservation in the UK. Preventive conservation measures such as the rolling of large carpets, and strategies for dealing with pest infestations and wear from visitor routes, are introduced. Three remedial interventions are described: the treatment of an Axminster carpet made by Thomas Whitty for Dumfries House in 1759 (cleaning, support, and restoration of the pile), and the treatment of two chenille carpets of double-weave construction from the Stoddard-Templeton Archive (adhesive-tape removal and stitched support).