New research uncovers secrets of rare 300 year old artworks at Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle in Somerset display rare wall hangings
A set of exceptionally rare, 300-year-old leather wall hangings at Dunster Castle is being seen in a whole new light after a major research project uncovered fresh secrets about their history.
The gilt leather panels, on display at the Somerset castle, depict the story of Antony and Cleopatra and are believed to be the only complete series of their kind left anywhere in the world.
Crafted in the Southern Netherlands during the second half of the 17th century, each scene was hand-painted onto specially treated leather, then finished with stamped patterns and a "gilt" effect — actually silver leaf, coated in yellow varnish to look like gold.
Now, thanks to a research partnership between the National Trust and The Open University, visitors can learn the story behind them through a brand-new film, offering a "virtual gallery" tour of the artworks in close-up detail.
The project was driven by questions that staff, volunteers and visitors have been asking for years, including one rather cheeky theory about Antony's knees.
"There were some rumours and more colourful stories associated with the hangings, which we wanted to myth-bust or confirm," said Claire Reed, Curator for Dunster Castle. "The depiction of Antony made some people ask whether he was suffering from gout. It now seems more likely to have been an artistic styling designed to single him out and give him a more military bearing."
The research also shed light on the hangings' age, origins and how they've changed over time, although one mystery remains unsolved: nobody knows exactly how or why the Luttrell family, who own the castle, got hold of them in the first place. What is known is that the tale of Antony and Cleopatra was a fashionable subject for art at the time.
Unlike the more familiar repeating-pattern gilt leather wall coverings found at places like Dyrham Park, the Dunster hangings tell a single, continuous story, ©much like a series of tapestries.
"There is no other complete set depicting this story in the world," said Claire Reed. "This is truly a unique chance for visitors to see a one-of-a-kind artwork."
The find has also changed how experts view the wider Dunster collection. Professor Taylor's research turned up records of other leather items once owned by the Luttrells, including screens, seats, faux-leather wallpaper, and even leather carpets, dating from the 1690s through to the 1880s.
"This suggests the Luttrell family had a particular interest in this material," Claire Reed added, "and it's changing our perception of the family as collectors of objects and works of art in this period."
Dan Cull, Regional Conservator for the National Trust, said the hangings' survival is remarkable in itself, given how easily leather artworks can be damaged by light and humidity.
"These hangings were clearly treasured — there is evidence of previous repair work, including the addition of borders. While those techniques might differ from the conservation methods we use today, they will almost certainly have helped preserve this set, so it can still be enjoyed 300 years later."
Professor Clare Taylor, of The Open University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, worked with the university's XR Studios to turn her findings into the new virtual gallery experience.
"It's been a fantastic opportunity to work with the National Trust and show how academic research can be made accessible, engaging and relevant to visitors," she said. "Our research has uncovered new insights into these remarkable gilt leathers and their international significance."
Dunster Castle's General Manager, Carol Hunt, said the team was excited to share the discoveries with the public. "We're thrilled to offer visitors the chance to see these artworks in a new light. There's no complete series of the same story anywhere else in the world."