The article highlights the restoration of the Tapestry Drawing Room at Castle Howard, which was once a ruined shell but has been revived beautifully. The tapestries, specially woven in 1706 by John Vanderbank, depict seasonal activities and have been meticulously restored following a fire that devastated parts of the estate. Nick Howard, a descendant of the family who has occupied the house for centuries, reflects on the family’s commitment to preserving history and the charm of the painstaking restoration process, presenting a vibrant glimpse into the estate’s rich cultural heritage.
The tapestries were woven by John Vanderbank, a Flemish immigrant who became the leading and most expensive weaver in early 18th-century London. Based on scenes by David Teniers, they show sowing, hay making, harvest and a particularly jolly winter scene with skaters and a fancy sledge being pushed across the ice.
They were saved by their moves around a house constantly evolving and undergoing redecoration. In 1940, when the house was leased as a girls' boarding school, what began as a small chimney fire roared through the building, gutting an entire wing and destroying one of its greatest architectural treasures-John Vanbrugh's painted dome towering over the central hall.
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