Hanging, woven silk, linen and metal thread, designed and woven by Prue Jessop, British, 1997

Hanging constructed from fabric woven from two different warps. The ground cloth is a close set 4 thread organzine silk, with linen and foil wrapped weft yarns. The organza cloth is a black raw silk, with tin-copper and enamel coated copper wire weft. The metallic foil yarn has also been used to create two gold bands that echo the shimmering cloth behind it.

Given by the Worshipful Company of Weavers

The Worshipful Company of Weavers commisions a modern wall hanging/piece of textile art for its offices in the City of London bi-annually and invites current and recent students of the School of Textiles at the Royal College of Art to submit their ideas and portfolios with a view to one of them being selected to undertake the submission. The designs are considered by representatives of the Company, the RCA and the V&A. Although initially the commissioned piece hangs in the Company's offices, or lent on exhibition, it is then given on long-term loan to the V&A, eventually to form a collection with other previous and subsequent commissions to build a representative collection of the work of newly graduated students.

On long term loan to the V&A 2000 - 2015 [2001/256]; given to the Museum in 2015 [2015/416].

Historical significance: The charter for the Worshipful Company of Weavers was granted by Henry II in 1155 making it the earliest Livery Company in the City of London. It was the first textile guild. Since then the Mercers, Drapers, Merchant Taylors, Haberdashers and Clothworkers have been set up.

The Weavers' Company is the oldest of all the City of London Livery companies, and has a long history stretching back to the early 12th century. It continues to uphold the traditions of the Comapny and of the City of London, whilst supporting and promoting the modern textile industry and craft.

Reason For Production: Commission

This hanging was the first in a series of commissions by the Worshipful Company of Weavers, the oldest of all the City of London Livery companies whose history can be traced back to the early 12th century. The Company continues to uphold tradition, whilst supporting and promoting the modern textile industry and craft. Any current, final year student in the School of Textiles at the Royal College of Art or any recent graduate is eligible to apply for the commission, which hangs initially in the offices of the Company before coming on loan to the V&A. Prue Jessop has constructed this hanging from fabric woven from two different warps and the central design element of the piece was inspired by the reflective and sculptural qualities of metal and its introduction into traditional cloth by mechanical means rather than on the hand-loom.

T.37-2015