Mechelen artisans restore historical tapestries from Grandmaster's Palace in Malta
At the Royal Manufactuur De Wit in Mechelen, 10 historic tapestries dating back to 1708 are undergoing meticulous restoration. These rare works of art, which originally adorned the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta, Malta, will be carefully conserved over the next two years.
Manufactuur De Wit, renowned for its expertise in tapestries for more than 130 years, has shifted its focus since the 1980s from production to the conservation, cleaning and restoration of historical pieces.
“It is a great honour to be able to restore these tapestries,” said CEO Pierre Maes. “It is the only complete set from that period that still exists - 10 pieces with a height of 5m. These types of tapestries are not easy to restore, but De Wit has the necessary expertise to bring everything to a successful conclusion.”
The conservation process includes removing old linings, thoroughly cleaning the tapestries using specialised vacuum and aerosol suction techniques to avoid discoloration, and reinforcing fragile silk sections.
On Tuesday, Malta’s ambassador to Belgium, Clint Tanti, visited the workshop to observe the restoration.
These tapestries, ordered from the prestigious Gobelins manufacture in Paris in 1708 by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, were part of his gioia, a customary gift presented upon his election to the Order of Malta. The intricate designs depict exotic flora and fauna and have been in the Grandmaster’s Palace since 1710, surviving a perilous journey during which they narrowly escaped capture by pirates.
Noël Zammit, CEO of Heritage Malta, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration. “In Malta, we also have the techniques to preserve, conserve and restore heritage, but we do not have the necessary expertise for these tapestries,” he said.
“We have now largely renovated the Grandmaster’s Palace and are opening up approximately 58 per cent of the building to the general public. The restored tapestries will really come into their own.”
The tapestries are expected to return to Malta in mid-2026, where they will be displayed in the Tapestry Chamber, offering visitors a chance to appreciate the pieces in their original setting.
#FlandersNewsService | De Wit CEO Pierre Maes © BELGA PHOTO KATLEEN VASTIAU
Related news
