A VISIT from Chepstow to an exhibition at the British Museum (BM) next Thursday (August 11) includes the chance to see rare, brilliantly coloured 17th century Indian figured silk fabric from Monmouthshire Museums.

The silk was used to line an 18th century dressing gown owned by the Cobb family, who restored and lived in Caldicot Castle from 1885 to 1964. It is a star exhibit in ‘Krishna in the Garden of Assam’, which runs until August 15, and the trip to the BM includes a guided tour by exhibition curator Richard Blurton.

Chepstow Museum curator, Anne Rainsbury, told the Review: “When Chepstow Rural District Council bought the castle, they also acquired a significant collection of eighteenth century costume. The Victoria and Albert Museum assessed it for them and this piece was noted.

“Further research show­ed that it is from Assam, a little known area of north east India and centre of a vibrant culture of devotion to the Hindu god Krishna from the late 16th century. It dates to around 1680 and is probably the best preserved piece on display, as it was protected by the Chinese silk used for the outer body of the dressing gown.”

To book a place on the tour, which leaves at 8.30am from Chepstow Castle Car Park, contact Chepstow Museum on 01291 625981.