Two of Shanna’s pieces were featured in the immersive exhibition Lives, Loves and Loss by Traces London, held at the monumental Fenton House in London from 3-23 December 2016. The exhibition enabled visitors to travel back to 1730, to the time it was occupied by the Gee family, who were prominent silk and linen merchants.
Let’s trade, signed John Rickards 1722 and Let’s trade more, signed John Rickards 1723 are tongue-in-cheek interpretations of the act of corporate gift giving during the 18th century. Taking the form of a framed artefact, each of the pieces feature a decorative bookmark made using the same labour-intensive method of traditional lacemaking as was used during the 18th century. At the back of the ornate gold frame are the words “Let’s trade”, fictitiously signed in 1722 by John Rickards, a historically famous lace dealer from Buckinghamshire. Through his extensive trade with Georgian elites living in London, Rickards was able to renovate and convert a landmark inn at Market Place, Olney entirely into his lace-dealing headquarters. This piece also refers to the same year Rickards headquarter was completed.
The pieces are still available from the Traces London shop.
