Tribal exhibit in Bourton-on-the-Hill (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tribal exhibit in Bourton-on-the-Hill

THE 16th century Tithe Barn at Bourton House, Bourton-on-the-Hill provides a wonderful backdrop for Gardens of Paradise, an exhibition of contemporary tribal rugs in jewell colours on the theme of gardens and landscapes.

The rugs have been chosen from an award-winning Iranian weaving project which is committed to the preservation of traditional skills such as hand spinning and natural dyeing, but which also encourages the legendary weaving heritage of the Persian tribes in innovative new directions.

Each rug blends ancient tradition with personal freedom of imagination and is full of colour and vitality.

The exhibition features evocative 'landscape' rugs woven by the Qashqa'i-Kashkuli tribe from South West Iran, and vivid 'sumakh' or flatweave rugs from the Baluch tribes of the South East. All the rugs are equally suitable for use on the floor or as wall hangings.

The exhibition runs until September 16 and is open from Wednesday to Friday in August, on Thursdays and Fridays in September and on Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday.

The garden at Bourton House is also open and an exhibition of banners entitled Reflections of a Garden, by Angela Baum and Annette Chevallier is currently on show as well.

More information from 01386 700754 or 07834 493637.