Linda Marcus "Sleep On It"

HALI London

HALI London—the first festival in London devoted to the art and history of textiles—takes place June 24–30, 2019. At a time when museums and art lovers are increasingly turning to textiles as the key to unravelling complex cultural narratives, this festival offers a chance to discover how textiles have been, and continue to be, an important form of artistic expression globally.

Vintage Berber Rug with a vibrant abstract design, Boujad or Beni Mellal region, western foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco, 1980s-90s.


HALI London celebrates 40 years and 200 editions of HALI Magazine, the international quarterly publication focused on collectible rugs, carpets and textiles, widely recognized as an authoritative reference guide and quality art publication.This milestone anniversary was the impetus to organize HALI London, but the scope of the celebration has broadened into an ambitious festival which reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our field.

Mata hari ceremonial cloth, Coromandel Coast, found in Sulawesi, Indonesia, 18th-19th century. Mordant and resist-dyed cotton with hand drawn central ‘sun’ design and printed repeating motifs.

Boro patchwork of recycled indigo cotton, Japan, 20th century.

An iconic art form, an iconic publication, and a milestone conference: this is an event not to be missed.” – Walter B. Denny, speaker at the HALI Symposium

Quilted bedcover, Coromandel Coast for the European market, first quarter of 18th century. Mordant and resist-dyed cotton.

For HALI London ticket holders, the week of informative events includes a chance for enthusiasts to deepen their knowledge of collectable antique and vintage rugs and textiles. Registration (discounted for HALI magazine subscribers) includes complimentary tickets to two other fairs taking place during London Art Week: The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia (June 19-28, 2019) and Masterpiece London (June 27–July 3, 2019), as well as:

Two full-day symposia, each with twelve lectures by international museum specialists and academics including:

  • Jon Thompson, former May Beattie Fellow at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, who will discuss colour trends in carpets, and how they compare with traditional colours achieved with natural dyes.
  • Rudi Matthee, Professor of Middle Eastern History at the University of Delaware, whose publications include The Politics of Trade in Safavid Iran: Silk for Silver, 1600-1730.

The Ashmolean Museum is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683, the HALI Tour will visit the stores with curator of Islamic art, Francesca Leoni

An important addition to London Art Week at the Mall Galleries. With twenty international dealers showing a wide range of vintage and antique textile art, from important collectors’ pieces to more affordable decorative objects, it is a chance to view and acquire textile treasures.

With a growing number of SDA members in the London and UK area, this would be a great opportunity for members to meet-up and see some amazing textiles works from around the world.

Persian animal carpet, wool pile on silk foundation, central Iran, Safavid, mid-16th century, Sarikhani Collection, UK

HALI has been the bible for the antique carpet and textile world as far back as I can remember. The variety and richness of the academic, cultural and exhibition programme at HALI London is far greater than anything else I can recall in the last twenty years. I look forward to seeing many of my friends and colleagues at the festival to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this beautiful publication.” – Hadi Maktabi, speaker at the HALI Symposium

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