Tuesday 15 September, 11-12 p.m.: Private Tour of the English Bayeux Tapestry with Pat Frost of the Textile Society
Tuesday 15 September, 11-12 p.m.: Private Tour of the English Bayeux Tapestry with Pat Frost of the Textile Society
Reading Museum, Blagrave St, Reading RG1 1QH
Reading Museum has provided award-winning opportunities for learning, inspiration and enjoyment since 1883. From their earliest days, they have collected archaeological, art, natural history, and ethnographical objects, as well as objects relating to Reading. Today they focus on collecting linked with Reading, its people and environment, and proudly celebrate the town and its fascinating history.
For almost 30 years, Pat Frost worked for Christie’s, the auctioneers, both as business manager (for the Asian Arts departments) and finally as their international director of Fashion & Textiles. Pat started as administrator in the Textile Department in the 1980s where she learned something every day by cataloguing. There were many firsts, including the first dedicated Asian & Islamic Textile sales and the inaugural Street Fashion sale. She was in charge of the textile sections of the Mayorcas and Bernheimer sales of textiles.
Fashion was always an interest of Pat's and she was delighted to have her celebrity thrills through being in charge of cataloguing the Elizabeth Taylor, Daphne Guinness, Suzy Menkes and Elsa Schiaparelli collections, for example. She was also in charge of the couture section of the Audrey Hepburn sale and most recently the Vivienne Westwood sale.
Over the years, Pat have grown to love couture and the wonderful stories it brings in its glorious wake. In January 2015, she began a new phase of my career as an independent advisor on Fashion & Textiles and she also continues to work for Christie’s and others as a consultant and advisor.
Event Description
A private viewing of the 19th-century copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, stitched by Victorian embroiderers from the Leek School of Embroidery.
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the world’s most famous pieces of medieval art. It is 70 metres long, and chronicles the legendary tale of the Norman conquest of England, when William the Conqueror invaded and defeated King Harold Godwinson. In the late 19th century, an extremely ambitious project was undertaken by a group of Victorian embroiderers from the Leek School of Embroidery to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry in full, painstakingly reproducing every single detail, stitch by stitch, so that the Tapestry's timeless story could be enjoyed by the people of Britain. The original work is due to arrive in the UK in the autumn and will be on view at the British Museum. In the interim, the Textile Society has arranged for a private guided tour on 22 May 2026 at Reading Museum to see the 19th-century version. Each section is signed and dated by the Leek School embroiderers and together make for a tour de force of English 19th-century needlework. The Reading tapestry had a rich and varied life before it came to Reading - join the tour to learn about its history and marvel at the power of embroidery.
Meet at the museum reception at 11 a.m.
Event Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know at least two weeks before the event that you are unable to attend, we will open your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.
Visit the Reading Museum's Website
Follow the Reading Museum on Instagram
Visit Pat Frost's Website
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Tuesday 15 September, 11-12 p.m.: Private Tour of the English Bayeux Tapestry with Pat Frost of the Textile Society
Reading Museum, Blagrave St, Reading RG1 1QH
Reading Museum has provided award-winning opportunities for learning, inspiration and enjoyment since 1883. From their earliest days, they have collected archaeological, art, natural history, and ethnographical objects, as well as objects relating to Reading. Today they focus on collecting linked with Reading, its people and environment, and proudly celebrate the town and its fascinating history.
For almost 30 years, Pat Frost worked for Christie’s, the auctioneers, both as business manager (for the Asian Arts departments) and finally as their international director of Fashion & Textiles. Pat started as administrator in the Textile Department in the 1980s where she learned something every day by cataloguing. There were many firsts, including the first dedicated Asian & Islamic Textile sales and the inaugural Street Fashion sale. She was in charge of the textile sections of the Mayorcas and Bernheimer sales of textiles.
Fashion was always an interest of Pat's and she was delighted to have her celebrity thrills through being in charge of cataloguing the Elizabeth Taylor, Daphne Guinness, Suzy Menkes and Elsa Schiaparelli collections, for example. She was also in charge of the couture section of the Audrey Hepburn sale and most recently the Vivienne Westwood sale.
Over the years, Pat have grown to love couture and the wonderful stories it brings in its glorious wake. In January 2015, she began a new phase of my career as an independent advisor on Fashion & Textiles and she also continues to work for Christie’s and others as a consultant and advisor.
Event Description
A private viewing of the 19th-century copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, stitched by Victorian embroiderers from the Leek School of Embroidery.
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the world’s most famous pieces of medieval art. It is 70 metres long, and chronicles the legendary tale of the Norman conquest of England, when William the Conqueror invaded and defeated King Harold Godwinson. In the late 19th century, an extremely ambitious project was undertaken by a group of Victorian embroiderers from the Leek School of Embroidery to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry in full, painstakingly reproducing every single detail, stitch by stitch, so that the Tapestry's timeless story could be enjoyed by the people of Britain. The original work is due to arrive in the UK in the autumn and will be on view at the British Museum. In the interim, the Textile Society has arranged for a private guided tour on 22 May 2026 at Reading Museum to see the 19th-century version. Each section is signed and dated by the Leek School embroiderers and together make for a tour de force of English 19th-century needlework. The Reading tapestry had a rich and varied life before it came to Reading - join the tour to learn about its history and marvel at the power of embroidery.
Meet at the museum reception at 11 a.m.
Event Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know at least two weeks before the event that you are unable to attend, we will open your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.
Visit the Reading Museum's Website
Follow the Reading Museum on Instagram
Visit Pat Frost's Website
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Description
Reading Museum, Blagrave St, Reading RG1 1QH
Reading Museum has provided award-winning opportunities for learning, inspiration and enjoyment since 1883. From their earliest days, they have collected archaeological, art, natural history, and ethnographical objects, as well as objects relating to Reading. Today they focus on collecting linked with Reading, its people and environment, and proudly celebrate the town and its fascinating history.
For almost 30 years, Pat Frost worked for Christie’s, the auctioneers, both as business manager (for the Asian Arts departments) and finally as their international director of Fashion & Textiles. Pat started as administrator in the Textile Department in the 1980s where she learned something every day by cataloguing. There were many firsts, including the first dedicated Asian & Islamic Textile sales and the inaugural Street Fashion sale. She was in charge of the textile sections of the Mayorcas and Bernheimer sales of textiles.
Fashion was always an interest of Pat's and she was delighted to have her celebrity thrills through being in charge of cataloguing the Elizabeth Taylor, Daphne Guinness, Suzy Menkes and Elsa Schiaparelli collections, for example. She was also in charge of the couture section of the Audrey Hepburn sale and most recently the Vivienne Westwood sale.
Over the years, Pat have grown to love couture and the wonderful stories it brings in its glorious wake. In January 2015, she began a new phase of my career as an independent advisor on Fashion & Textiles and she also continues to work for Christie’s and others as a consultant and advisor.
Event Description
A private viewing of the 19th-century copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, stitched by Victorian embroiderers from the Leek School of Embroidery.
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the world’s most famous pieces of medieval art. It is 70 metres long, and chronicles the legendary tale of the Norman conquest of England, when William the Conqueror invaded and defeated King Harold Godwinson. In the late 19th century, an extremely ambitious project was undertaken by a group of Victorian embroiderers from the Leek School of Embroidery to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry in full, painstakingly reproducing every single detail, stitch by stitch, so that the Tapestry's timeless story could be enjoyed by the people of Britain. The original work is due to arrive in the UK in the autumn and will be on view at the British Museum. In the interim, the Textile Society has arranged for a private guided tour on 22 May 2026 at Reading Museum to see the 19th-century version. Each section is signed and dated by the Leek School embroiderers and together make for a tour de force of English 19th-century needlework. The Reading tapestry had a rich and varied life before it came to Reading - join the tour to learn about its history and marvel at the power of embroidery.
Meet at the museum reception at 11 a.m.
Event Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know at least two weeks before the event that you are unable to attend, we will open your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.
Visit the Reading Museum's Website
Follow the Reading Museum on Instagram
Visit Pat Frost's Website
