The Living Looms
Travelling 300 Miles to Keep History Alive
In 2007 when the last Sultana 100% worsted wool, 27” wide Axminster looms were destined for scrap, David Luckham and Mo Mant saved them, preserving the only machines capable of producing authentic historic carpets with the fineness and colour of traditional tapestry work. Over decades, David has supplied carpets to major heritage sites including Mansion House, Windsor Castle “after the fire” and the Royal Albert Hall. The rescue enabled the production of a replica of Printed Tapestry Velvet Carpet to be woven for Hampton Historic Site, Towson, MD National Park Service, USA. Designed and manufactured by John Crossley & Sons of Halifax in the 1840’s followed by the Library carpet at Felbrigg Hall for the National Trust, a rare surviving example of the genre still in situ 170 years on (illustrated). Both carpets using more than 30 different colours. Now the Looms are being repatriated to their original home at Dean Clough Mills to be rebuilt and ready to weave the Axminster Carpet recognised as the ‘finest ever woven on a machine by man’.
To learn more contact David Luckham at looms@thelivinglooms.co.uk
The Living Looms Felbrigg Hall
