A 19th century loom which was dismantled into over 100 pieces has been put back together again as part of the re-development of The Herbert in Coventry city centre.
The Jacquard ribbon weaving loom dates back to the early 1840s when it was used at William Franklin and Son in the city.
The machine was in use until the 1960s when it was given to Courtaulds to put in its museum until it was transferred to The Herbert in Jordan Well the following decade.
Three years ago the loom was broken down into over 100 pieces to be stored in The Herbert while the £20 million refurbishment and extension was carried out.
Bedworth-based Toye, Kenning and Spencer spent ten days putting the loom back together in the Covered Court area near the new entrance.
Huw Jones, Keeper of Industry at The Herbert, said it was fantastic to see the machine in its full glory once again.
“The machine won’t be in use but we will be showing a film of a similar loom that Toye, Kenning and Spencer still operate which shows the ribbon weaving process and explains how it works.
“There are only a few of these looms remaining in the country and it is the Jacquard mechanism which controls the loom. It is like an early computer because it is controlled by a series of cards with holes punched in them.
“The top part of the loom is really heavy and had to be lifted in by four people with a fork-lift truck to slot it in. It is great to see it back again.”
Cllr Heather Johnson, Cabinet Member for Community Services for Coventry City Council, added: “I am delighted to see the Jacquard loom back in The Herbert for visitors to see.
“This is part of Coventry’s heritage because ribbon weaving was the main industry in the city from 1700 to 1860 and the loom is a great way to educate students learning about this industry as part of their education.”
The history of ribbon weaving will be featured in the new History Gallery along with 20th century industries such as machine tools, aircraft and cars along with exhibits highlighting life in Coventry in the medieval, Victorian and post 1939 periods.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Herbert redevelopment project is jointly funded by Coventry City Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Renaissance West Midlands, the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Wolfson Foundation Fund, Advantage West Midlands and English Heritage.
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