Conservation
Founded in 1889, De Wit Royal Manufacturers is the world leader in the conservation of tapestries for museums and private collectors. Over the last 30 years, it has been entrusted with the three largest tapestry conservation campaigns worldwide. Their clients are major museums such as the Louvre in Paris, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Mobilier National-Manufacture des Gobelins in Paris, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and many others.
Collection
De Wit Fine Tapestries is also a leader in the acquisition and sale of ancient tapestries for private collectors and museums. In this capacity she participates in major international fairs such as BRAFA and TEFAF. De Wit also welcomes her clients to her showrooms in the Refuge of the Tongerlo Abbey in Mechelen, where a wide variety of tapestries from different periods and origins are presented. Thanks to its privileged relations with major museums and private collectors, De Wit Royal Manufacturers has realised notable sales of tapestries.
Guided Tours
De Wit Royal Manufacturers is located in the Refuge of the Tongerlo Abbey, founded in 1484, where it presents a collection of tapestries from the early 15th century to the present day. The workshop, exhibition rooms and the building, which is a protected monument, are open to the public for tours organised by the De Wit Foundation.
Expo-Events
De Wit Royal Manufacturers is also known for organising successful international tapestry exhibitions, such as Tissus d'Or in cooperation with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich (90,000 visitors in total) and Los Honores in cooperation with the Patrimonio Nacional in Spain (93,000 visitors). Together with the City of Mechelen, it is currently preparing an exhibition on the Granvelle tapestries scheduled for 2024.