A Black Chiswick through History Project with Chiswick School.

Inspired by the carpets and velvet wallpaper found in Chiswick House, students from Chiswick School have created a digital visualisation exploring the story of the silk trade, tracing the journey of silk, from its creation in the East, through its trade across the world, to the impact on floral designs and textiles that has changed the world of interiors and our visual culture forever.

Year 10 and sixth form history students from Chiswick School have designed a presentation aimed at engaging anyone aged 6+ about the silk trade and the influence of the East on the interior design of Chiswick House and beyond. The resulting visualisation includes an interactive map and an illustrated timeline of the carpets and velvet wallpapers.

Visitors can click on images of the objects that interest them and find out the relevant history of the item, or the meaning of the botanical design elements found on the carpet or wallpaper.

This project builds on work from 2022, when students from Chiswick School spent time working with historians Raj Pal and Nadege Forde-Vidal learning about the Black histories of Chiswick House and Gardens. After completing their own research last year, the students produced a series of short films (also available to watch in the House) exploring the visibility of people of colour in historical houses. They address the changing attitudes towards faith communities. Highlighting how influences of African art and culture can be found throughout our Gardens and how some of our most iconic sculptures can be linked back to prominent people of colour in history.

The group also produced a colour painting of the Roman Emperor Caracalla, one of the busts on display inside Chiswick House (see image below). The painting is on permanent display at Chiswick School as a celebration of the students’ project. In the portrait, Caracalla is shown with dark skin to reflect that his father was born in Africa and his mother was of Syrian heritage and contrasts with the white marble bust of him found at Chiswick House.

Hannah Nonnenmacher, Head of History at Chiswick School said –

Working with Chiswick House has been a fantastic opportunity for our Sixth Form students. The chance to engage so deeply with their own local heritage has been eye-opening. Although these students have walked past Chiswick House every day for many years, most have never been inside.  All felt that it was a place very far removed from their identity and their own lives. Watching them reconsider these opinions and engage with their local history in a completely new way has been a privilege for me.

Chiswick House and its Silks is available for visitors to interact with in the Red and Green Velvet Rooms of Chiswick House, 6 July-1 October 2023. The group’s work from 2022 is also on display in the Upper Tribune and Lower Link rooms. Included with a Chiswick House & Kitchen Garden ticket. Members go free.