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Today, Rhodesian Tapestry stands as an intriguing piece of Africana and cultural history. Blending art, craftsmanship, and historical storytelling, the book captures a unique national project that sought to record a country’s story in needlework.
1 in stock
Rhodesian Tapestry by Oliver Ransford, published in 1971 by Books of Rhodesia, is a distinctive and richly illustrated work that presents the history of Rhodesia through an extraordinary artistic project in embroidery. The book documents the creation of a remarkable series of embroidered panels produced by members of the Women’s Institutes of Rhodesia, designed to depict key events in the country’s past in a format inspired by the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Combining historical narrative with visual interpretation, Rhodesian Tapestry offers readers an unusual and engaging way of exploring the development of the region from early times through the twentieth century.
In Rhodesian Tapestry, Oliver Ransford provides the historical background to each of the embroidered scenes while reproducing the tapestry panels in colour photographs. The original project began in 1946 when Lady Tait suggested the creation of a national tapestry portraying significant moments in Rhodesian history. Ultimately forty-two panels were produced, each carefully stitched by volunteer needleworkers and coordinated to maintain consistency in materials, colour, and design. The completed work was presented to the Speaker of Parliament in 1963 as a tribute to the pioneering women of the country.
Through concise commentary and carefully arranged illustrations, Rhodesian Tapestry transforms these embroidered panels into a visual chronicle of the region’s past. Ransford, a respected historian and writer on southern African history, explains the historical events and figures represented in each scene, allowing readers to appreciate both the craftsmanship of the tapestry and the narrative it conveys.
Today, Rhodesian Tapestry stands as an intriguing piece of Africana and cultural history. Blending art, craftsmanship, and historical storytelling, the book captures a unique national project that sought to record a country’s story in needlework. For collectors of Rhodesiana, southern African history, or textile and craft history, Rhodesian Tapestry remains a fascinating and unusual publication that preserves the legacy of this ambitious embroidered chronicle.
Condition – Very Good
Slightly worn covers. Foxing present.
