Franses Tapestry Archive, Academic textile library in St James's, London, United Kingdom.
The Franses Tapestry Archive is a library in St. James, London, specializing in European tapestries and textiles. The collection includes photographs and documentation of works from museums, libraries, and private collections across Europe and North America.
The archive was founded in 1987 and began by systematically documenting tapestries across European and North American collections. Over time it developed into one of the most comprehensive research resources for European textiles.
The collection reflects how different European regions developed their own weaving techniques and design traditions over centuries. Visitors can observe how textiles served both decorative and functional purposes in homes, churches, and palaces across the continent.
Access to the archive requires membership in the Users Group, which allows researchers to study the collection. Visiting during weekdays tends to work best, as staff can give more attention to inquiries and research needs.
The archive documents the stories of recovered textiles, some of which had been missing for years. A notable example includes two tapestries that were returned to a research institute after a lengthy absence.
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