Putting on The Glitz: wallpapers and wallcoverings with that extra something
1 August - November 2009
Putting on The Glitz: Exhibition Summary
Traditionally, wallcoverings incorporating precious metals could only be afforded by the wealthy. For those aspiring to wealth, such luxury was highly desirable. Putting on The Glitz explores how this desire has been (and can still be) satisfied, both by the real thing and by extremely effective imitations.
Selected from the Whitworth's collection, this exhibition features luxurious 18th century decorated leather, 19th century Japanese and French imitations, foils and other metallic finishes from the 1960s/70s, along with contemporary jewelled patterns that our ancestors might have envied. On show, together with fabulous new designs, are samples of gold and silver leaf, and other metals used in the manufacture of 21st century wallcoverings.
Indulging our appetite for glamour, this exhibition shows that glitz is no longer only the preserve of the well-off.
View items appearing in this exhibition
