Patchwork Pals adventures- Braintree District Museum and the Warner Archive (also Great Bardfield)

 

Although what goes on tour, stays on tour, we thought you would like to know how the trip on the 25th went.

We met at Braintree District Museum at 10:30, in fact in the rather splendid shop and was taken into the museum by a guide. 

The first part we were taken to was a room dedicated to the weaving done by the silk mills run by the Warner Brothers. The fabrics we were shown ranged from designs by Owen Jones in the 19th Century (more later) and in the mid-20th Century with work completed for the London Underground by Marianne Straub. 

After a cup of tea and cake we were taken to the Warner Archive where woven fabrics and their designs have been collected and preserved from the mid 19th Century until the mid 20th Century. We were also able to see a surviving example of a weavers cottage. 

There was also a copy of the book written by Owen Jones  (1801-1874) "The Ornament of Design" 1856 which outlines some simple "rules".

We were also able to see, although not touch, original designs and the woven fabric which came from the design.  This was incredible as one piece had a design and then a range of samples showing the same design in a range of colour-ways, woven in the 1860s and looking as fresh as if they had been completed today.  This also gave an insight into how interiors and dress fabrics would have looked.

Some examples of the fabrics seen (thank you Joy):  

To visit Braintree District museum information about the Warner Archive: warner-sons

                                               The Artists of Great Bardfield

During the tour we were also told about a group of artists who lived in the local village of Great Bardfield. The group included John Aldridge (RA), Edward Bawden, George Chapman, Stanley Clifford-Smith, Audrey Cruddas, Walter Hoyle, Eric Ravillious, Sheila Robson, Micheal Rothenstein, Kenneth Rowentree and Marianne Straub.

 The artists lived in this community from the 1930s until 1970s. and their distinctive work can be seen in various galleries including the Fry Gallery in Saffron Walden. which is open between April and October.  For opening times please check out www.fryartgallery.org

For some examples of their work I have found this website which sells prints in the form of greetings cards (www.theblankcardcompany.co.uk - look for : Great Bardfield Artists (Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Tirzah Garwood)