YORK, 5^th June 2018

York is a fabulous place to find antique and vintage items for your home from art dealers, auction house, to fairs, and car boot sales. Art dealer and interior designer Natalia Willmott is known for mixing antiques and contemporary finds in her interior schemes and has come across a shawl which belonged to T E Lawrence (known as Lawrence of Arabia). She will be showing it at her exhibition which opens on Wednesday in Stillingfleet.

The shawl with Paisley motifs is French and dates from the 1860’s. It was given by T E Lawrence, probably in the 20’s or 30’s, to one of his former nannies and was then passed on to a solicitor in Whitby. A letter from the last owners relating this story accompanies this piece.

Lawrence was a British archaeologist, scholar, writer and soldier who mobilised the Arab Revolt in World War I, helping the Arabs against the Turks. He then became known as 'Lawrence of Arabia' and was later immortalised in 1962 in the famous film of the same name. We know he spent time in Yorkshire and was posted in Bridlington at the end of his life.

Natalia Willmott points out that these types of shawls were often sold by families and individuals in between the wars and that could be the time that it was acquired. "This shawl was kept in a box for many years so is in fabulous condition with beautiful colours, patterns and a real sense of history". 

Natalia will also be showcasing early 1920’s textile designs from France with the Paisley design which show that the pattern had a revival.

The shawl along with other art, antiques and contemporary finds can be seen at L’Atelier Natalia Willmott in Stillingfleet (Cotswold house- the Green- Stillingfleet- YO19 6SF) from Wednesday 6^th to Sunday 17^th June 2018 (opening times 10 am to 4pm). Parking near the church. For more information go to www.nataliawillmott.co.uk