|  | These splendid hangings were made by Anna Margaretta Brereton of Brinton Hall near Melton Constable, Norfolk, between 1801 and 1805.
The textiles remained in family hands until 1929, when they were donated to Strangers' Hall. Last year, a request to display the bed-hangings at an international textiles exhibition in France, led to vital conservation work being carried out.
As a result, these fragile textiles will be on show at Strangers' Hall until summer 2004.
Curator Cathy Terry said: "As far as we know, they are the only surviving set of patchwork and appliqué hangings for a four poster bed.
"They consist of 19 separate items, all pieced together from many hundreds of fabrics in a completely original and harmonious way.
"The fabrics themselves are superb examples of early nineteenth century furnishing chintzes and dress fabrics.
"Most unusually, we know why these hangings were made and by whom, and they were given by the maker's descendants for the specific purpose of enriching the displays of Strangers' Hall," added Terry. Anna Margaretta Brereton was a lady of substance living in one of Norfolk's finer residences.
Her set of bed-hangings was the height of fashion and luxury in its day and was typical of the kind of grand interior décor project that ladies of leisure turned their hands to in the early 19th century. 
Tassel detail from a bed hanging |
Family lore tells how Anna made the textiles as solace and creative therapy following the collapse of her health after the death of her eldest son.
A recently discovered sermon written as a tribute after her death, reveals that the loss of her son changed Anna's life, causing her to abandon the material world and become involved in the Church. The hangings, other furnishings and objects donated by the Brereton family were displayed at Strangers' Hall for around thirty years.
By the 1960s the bed-hangings were frail, dirty and in need of rescue. They were conserved by former curator Pamela Clabburn and her team and until now, have remained in store at Strangers' Hall and Carrow House Costume & Textile Study Centre. The set was made using a technique known as 'Broderie Purse'. Whilst it was not unusual for single bed-covers of Broderie Purse to survive, the Brereton hangings, made as a complete set for a posted bed, is unique. The bed-hangings were shown last year at the Musée des Traditions et Arts Normands au Château de Martainville, near Rouen, as part of a prestigious exhibition of international antique textiles and were the highlight of the English section of the exhibition. A programme of related talks and events is planned to complement the display, including a 'Quilt Day' on Saturday 9 October, run in association with the National Quilters' Guild.
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The poignant story of how Anna Margaretta Brereton found solace in needlework after the death of her eldest son is something we can readily empathise with. Everyone involved in putting the display together found it to be a tremendously moving experience to see the pieces assembled as they were originally intended. 
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