Dovecot was approached in 2014 by art consultant Philomena Davidson to engage in a commission to create a 52m² frieze tapestry, woven in nine sections to adorn the three walls of a ceremonial meeting hall for The Leathersellers’ Company in London. The artist chosen to create the design for this tapestry was Victoria Crowe, with whom Dovecot had previously collaborated with to create Two Views and The Large Tree Group Tapestry.
This new tapestry for Leathersellers’ was integral to the vision of architect Eric Parry, who in 2012 began the redevelopment of the livery company headquarters at St. Helen's Place in the City of London. Parry's design for the subterranean meeting hall would include a tapestry, addressing the aesthetic and acoustic aspects of the space. Victoria’s design for the tapestry told the story of leather production and celebrated the traditional skills and craftsmanship of textile makers.
Victoria Crowe presented a series of designs to the weaving team at Dovecot, illustrating the rich history of Leathersellers’, to be interpreted in tapestry on an epic scale. Master Weaver Naomi Robertson and her team wove the panels over a three-year period with the final panel being installed in the hall in early 2017.
The Leathersellers’ Tapestry © Victoria Crowe. Commissioned by The Leathersellers’ Company. Woven by Dovecot Tapestry Studio, Edinburgh. 2014-17.
