TAPESTRIES, CARPETS, TEXTILES OF DISTINCTION

Franses is a leading dealership and consultancy in the world of textiles. We transform rooms in private homes, museums and corporations with exceptional tapestries and carpets and outstanding examples of textile art.

We only handle works that have relevance to living and collecting today. Our clients have exacting expectations and every work has been professionally examined in an uncompromising selection process.  What you will see illustrated on this website is a small selection from our renowned inventory.

Buyers can be confident that every work is accompanied by an absolute guarantee of authenticity, which has been documented by the world’s largest research archive.  Every piece in our inventory has been prepared for installation and can be transported anywhere in the world.

These works of heritage, treasured by previous owners, mostly come from fine homes and family collections. Their value is preserved and enhanced through careful cleaning, sensitive conservation and historical research. We never forget that finding and securing the right object should be an enjoyable experience – you will find us friendly and accessible.

Franses also has an international reputation for its advisory work as independent appraisers to museums, to financial institutions and to individuals wishing to develop collections or looking to invest in this asset class.

VISUALIZER

Using visualizer software we can import any item from our inventory into a photograph, architectural drawing or wall elevation that you supply to us. With the dimensions of your space we can provide you with a realistic impression of how any tapestry, carpet or textile will actually look to scale in your interior.

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  • Photo: A Client’s Reception Area
  • Tapestry 1
  • Tapestry 2

LATEST NEWS

Franses Gallery Saved By Supreme Court Judgment

  S Franses Ltd v Cavendish Hotel (London) Limited https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2017-0151.html   Summary In a landmark judgment, handed down on Wednesday 5 December, the UK’s highest Court confirmed that Cavendish Hotel (London) Ltd as landlord did not have the requisite intention to carry out its proposed demolition and reconstruction of 80 Jermyn Street and that the […]

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Joint Exhibition: Splendours of the Haute Époque

S FRANSES London and GALERIE NEUSE of Bremen have collaborated in a joint exhibition for London Art Week (29th November to 7th December 2018) under the banner Splendours of the Haute Époque.  On view are a recently reunited pair of monumental Brussels tapestries dating from a 1550’s series, History of Venus.  The only other surviving […]

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Loan Exhibition: Henry VIII: the unseen tapestries – A Celebrated Success!

This small but remarkable loan exhibition showcased rare and previously unseen, as well as rediscovered, tapestries from the tapestry collection of the king. The rediscovered monumental “Burning of the Books” tapestry had been commissioned by Henry and was delivered to Hampton Court Palace in 1538. The “Lord Russell Order of the Garter” tapestry. “Romulus and […]

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Saint Paul Directing the Burning of the Heathen Books at Ephesus

FRANSES AT TEFAF MAASTRICHT 2019

FRANSES exhibited at TEFAF Maastricht from Saturday 10th March to Sunday 18th March 2018 and will exhibit again in 2019. The Gallery was first time exhibitor in 2018 and the only specialist in historic tapestries, carpets and textile art at the fair.           Highlights  in TEFAF 2018 include a major Delft […]

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English Modernist Carpets

Franses specialise in English Modernist carpets.

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EXHIBITIONS

Joint Exhibition: Splendours of the Haute Époque

Joint Exhibition: Splendours of the Haute Époque

S FRANSES London and GALERIE NEUSE of Bremen have collaborated in a joint exhibition for London Art Week (29th November to 7th December 2018) under the banner Splendours of the Haute Époque. On view are a recently reunited pair of monumental Brussels tapestries dating from a 1550's series, History of Venus. The only other surviving set being in the Spanish Royal Collection. Galerie Neuse are also displaying an important collection of and exceptional group of European objects and paintings dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th century, including an number of masterpieces of silver and silver-gilt.

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FINE TAPESTRIES IN THE WORLD'S GREAT HOTELS

Many of us are familiar with visiting museums and historic houses to view great tapestries. Less well known are the very interesting tapestries and textiles which can be seen in a number of fine hotels throughout the world.

Read more: Tapestries in Hotels

CURRENTLY ON VIEW IN THE LONDON GALLERY WINDOWS

The London gallery premises occupy a corner lot on Jermyn Street with windows on both Jermyn Street and, continuing around the corner, on Duke Street.

Read more: CURRENTLY ON VIEW ...

OBJECT FOCUS

Signed and Dated Queen Anne Needlework An Exceptional Needlework Panel from the Reign of Queen Anne (2ft 2in (width) x 2ft 9in (height) 0.66m x 0.84m framed)

Signed and Dated Queen Anne Needlework

This exceptional English needlework is dated "1706" and signed by its young embroiderer, "Mary Davison aged 13 years." Works dating from the brief reign of Queen Anne are exceptionally rare.  The panel is embroidered with coloured wools and silks on canvas.  It was completed four years after Queen Anne ascended the throne on 8th March 1702, but a year before the Act of Union was signed in 1707. Queen Anne died on 1st August 1714. Click the "Title" link to enlarge image.

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