Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume

ROM Magazine, Spring, 2008

Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume Opens on April 5, 2008 This exceptional collection gets A permanent home at the ROM

Dating from the 1st millennium BCE to the 21st century CE, the ROM's renowned collection of more than 50,000 textile and costume artifacts includes outstanding examples of Chinese imperial costume, late Antique and early Islamic textiles from Egypt, Western fashion from the Baroque period to the present day, and early Canadian coverlets. Approximately 200 pieces drawn from the collection to illustrate the extensive transformations in textile design and technology thoughout the past three millennia are highlighted in the new Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume.

Named in honour of Mrs. Patricia Harris, the fourth-floor gallery is one of the most dramatic in the newly opened Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. Says Mrs. Harris of the voluminous cathedral-like space, "This gallery is the realization of a surprise 1999 Christmas gift given to me by my husband, Jim, and it is an inspired setting for the ROM's celebrated collection of textiles and costume." The opening of the gallery along with the Shreyas and Mina Ajmera Gallery of Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific marks the completion of the permanent galleries in the Lee-Chin Crystal.

The The Jennifer Ivey Bannock In Focus Exhibit at the entrance to the Harris Gallery is a frequently changing display that will highlight exciting new acquisitions, interesting curatorial research, or textile-related topics in the news. The first display examines the history of a gold and silver overdress that has travelled since 1801 from Egypt to England and Newfoundland before joining the ROM's collections in 2001.

Highlights of the ROM's printed textile and costume collection, featured in the Lynda Hamilton Printing Exhibit, illustrate how paint, ink, and dye are used in the decoration of textiles. The Flavia Redelmeier Handweaving in Canada and the World Exhibit explores this ancient technology and illustrates the evolution of weaving techniques through different looms and their related textiles.

The Phyllis Hamilton Needlework Exhibit presents textiles, costume, and accessories from around the world that have been created or embellished with needle and thread.

Other features of the gallery include displays of Chinese textiles and costumes, the art of tailoring from the 18th century to the present day, and modern deconstructions of classic forms.

Among the ROM's oldest surviving textiles are archaeological pieces from Pre-Columbian Peru and Late Antique, Early Byzantine, and Early Islamic Egypt. One highlight is a magnificent Paracas mantle with embroidered motifs dating to the period 200 BCE-200 CE. Throughout history in many parts of the world, luxury silk textile designs have been influenced by local taste and fashion. Examples of high-end luxury textiles from 15th- to 18th-century Europe illustrate the evolution of design and technique at its apogee.

Take a tour through history via these gorgeous textiles and costumes in their spacious new home.