The restoration of historical tapestries from the Grand Master's Palace in the Maltese capital Valletta is in full swing in Mechelen. The palace is the official residence of the president of Malta and also, for many years, housed the island’s parliament. Restoration is being carried out at the Royal Manufacturers De Wit in Mechelen and will take two years.
Royal Manufacturers De Wit has been in existence for 135 years and specialises in the conservation, i.e. the cleaning and restoration, of tapestries. ‘In the 1980s, we stopped producing tapestries and started specialising in conservation techniques,’ explains director Pierre Maes.
‘Over the years, thanks to all this know-how, we have gained a great reputation and tapestries from all over the world come to us to be conserved.’
Their number now includes the tapestries from the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta (Malta). ‘There are 10 large tapestries that are almost 5 metres high. They are part of a very large series of tapestries produced in the early 18th century,’ Mr Maes explains.
Tapestries experienced an eventful life
Grandmaster Ramon Perellos y Roccaful commissioned the tapestries from the famous Gobelins manufacturer in Paris in 1708. They show exotic flora and fauna and have been in the Grand Master's Palace since 1710, following a difficult journey during which they were almost lost to pirates.
This week Maltese ambassador, Clint Tanti, headed a Maltese delegation visiting Manufacturer De Wit to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the restoration process.
The conservation of tapestries is a complex process and consists of several steps. First, the tapestries were removed from the walls and transported to Belgium.
Next, the old linings are removed, and thorough cleaning follows with specialised vacuum and aerosol suction techniques to prevent discolouration. Finally, weakened parts and cracks are reinforced.
‘It is handwork and requires a lot of patience and concentration., it will take until March 2026 for the restoration of the whole series of tapestries to be finished so that they can be returned to Malta,’ Mr Maes says.
Restoration of Grand Master’s Palace itself also under way
While the tapestries are in Belgium, restoration work will also take place in the ‘Tapestry Chamber’ of the palace in Malta itself. The thatched roof will be restored, and repairs will be made to the elaborately painted ceiling, the floor and support beams.
‘In Malta we possess knowledge of the techniques needed to preserve, conserve and restore our heritage, but not the necessary in-house expertise to preserve these tapestries,’ Noël Zammit, CEO of Heritage Malta, says. ‘We have now renovated a large part of the Grand Master's Palace. Over half the building is now open to the general public. When they return the restored tapestries will be beautifully displayed.’