The heart of the Allertons in the heart of Somerset

Documented & Photographed

To view the larger versions of the images hold your mouse pointer over each thumbnail in turn. To view photos as slide show click on the first thumbnail. Then you can allow the slide show to auto play, or use the VCR style controls at the top to control the slide show.

The cope, and the blue linen lining, will be documented and photographed before, during and after treatment.  Documentation would include measurements, fibre and fabric identification, and analysis of the original configuration of the cope based on historical research and examination of the small added pieces of fabric at the corners.  If possible computer generated images of the original configuration will be provided.

The cope and linen fabric will be removed from the frame and released from the wooden board as these are a source of organic acids that are accelerating the degradation of the textile fibres.  The frame and board will not be reused but will be returned to the museum untreated.

The cope, and linen, will be surface cleaned to remove loose surface dust and the fabrics humidified to lessen the creases. Tests will be undertaken to determine if it is possible to reduce the most severe stains on the satin fabric using localised cleaning techniques.  It will not be possible to remove the tarnish on the metal-wrapped threads or spangles.  No further cleaning is proposed due to the fragility of the satin and embroidery threads.

Unless they are considered of historical important the coarse stitched repairs will be removed as they are unsightly and causing stress to the surrounding fabric.

The satin ground will be given a full backing of new, colour-matched fabric which will provide overall support and strength and enable the weak and damaged areas to be stabilised.  Split seams, loose embroidery, spangles, linen and satin patches, and areas of weakness and loss in the ground fabric will be secured using stitching worked through the new backing fabric.  

The cope will be stitch mounted onto a fabric-covered, padded acid-free board.  The edges of the fabrics will be left flat, rather than refolded, so the new mount board may be slightly larger than the current board.

Historical Context

The Allerton Cope dates from the later fifteenth century or first part of the  sixteenth century.  The cope is decorated with a type of embroidery called opus anglicanum, the Latin designation for English medieval embroidery. The background material is made of satin weave silk (probably Italian).  It is embroidered principally with silver gilt thread and coloured silks mostly floss, both of which would also have been imported.

The cope was found in a chest in Allerton Church in 1858 and it is thought that around this time the cope was turned into an altar frontal. It is suggested that John Gunthorpe, who was Dean of Wells from 1472-1498, gave it to Chapel Allerton Church. In the late nineteenth century and it was mounted and put on display in Taunton Castle.

The embroidered central design is a representation of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.  She has a nimbus and is surrounded by a glory from which rays emanate and has an angel on either side.  Three cherubim on wheels are at her feet.  The embroidered motifs of the frontal were made separately on linen and then applied to the ground material.  The spangles and lines of silver gilt thread have been added directly onto the silk background completing the design. 

The cope is worn and faded, which makes it difficult to appreciate how colourful it would have been originally with the embroidery in brightly dyed silks and the sparkle of silver-gilt thread.  It would have been very attractive when seen in candle light.

The cope represents the earliest item of textile in the collections cared for by the Somerset Heritage Service.  The cope is a good example of early English ecclesiastical embroidery. As far as we are aware the Allerton Cope is the only example of such work that is held by a public institution in Somerset.

The Allerton Cope will be a key feature in the new display in the Museum of Somerset.  The refurbished Museum is due to open in August 2010 so the deadline for the completion of conservation work will be October 2009.

The chosen contractor is Textile Conservation Ltd who were established in 1989 and are based in Banwell.  Alison Lister will be undertaking the work.  Alison is the Director/Principal Conservator and is an accredited member of the Institute of Conservation and an Associate of the International Institute for Conservation. 

The total cost of restoration will be £5000

Friends of the County Museum has donated  £2000
The Allerton History Society                            £1000
Somerset County Council                                £500
Allerton Harvest Home                                     £300

This leaves a shortfall of £1200 and the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society are currently being approached for a contribution towards the cost.

The History Society would like to have a series of photographs of the Cope and its restoration which will be displayed in the Church.

Gerald Prince Secretary 01934 710261