Tapestries & textiles
Tapestry is without doubt, one of the wonders of the historic interiors world. They were much prized for their richness and beauty, but also for their practical purpose of acting as insulation against cold stone walls. In keeping with the essence of Baltersan's interior design plan we will not be restricted to hanging reproductions of historic works, but will grace some chambers with modern work.
While many items such as bed linen, towels and curtaining will be sourced from large producers, there will be scope to introduce, specially commissioned works such as made by Jo (pictured above) at her own loom and dyed with colours she herself has mixed.
Inventory of the Castle of Sanquhar-Hamilton in Ayr, 1559
To give an impression of the amount of napery, bedding, etc in a major house contemporary with Baltersan, we can do no better than study this inventory which is published in full by the Ayrshire Archæological and Natural History Society - A Scottish Renaissance Household.
There is an extensive list of materials for bedding, clothing, dining and furnishing with sizes, country of origin and values. It totally dispels the myth that 16th c. Scottish castles were bleak, spartan places.
Download WORD file: Inventory 1559
Further information:
Stirling Castle tapestries project
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/stirling_tapestries