Wednesday 10 December 2008

Woven silk pictures from J and J Cash Ltd

A few weeks ago whilst in Coventry, I happened to drop in on The Herbert Museum. The large ground floor exhibition area had just been refurbished and it was the first day of its relaunch.
Here I spent a couple of hours marvelling at the collection of ribbons and woven artifacts dating from the 18Th Century, and was intrigued to find out that Coventry was the centre of woven silk ribbons for over a century. My interest in woven items has been growing over the last couple of years, and in Venice this year I was amazed at the woven silks and ribbons which they used in period dresses.

I mentioned the Ribbon Exhibition at the WI craft group, and several of my friends there were able to tell me more about the items that Cash produced.
I was disappointed that the shop at the Herbert did not have any of Cash's items for sale. It is very strange that where they have a wonderful exhibition, there are not items for sale. Where there is a local item of such excellent quality, I feel it ought to be really showcased and that people around must be really proud. I think we must support British Made items of such quality, and enjoy them and ensure that such companies continue to prosper.

This is the start of my collection of woven silk pictures. The first in middle is that of a Peregrine Falcon. I picked this up at a bring and buy coffee morning. The next two, I bought as second hand items from a Furniture Shop in Kenilworth. The detail is superb: the fluffy white feather on the robin's breast look as if the wind is blowing them about, and the designer has managed to capture the stillness of the moment on the Kingfisher woven picture. I'm hoping to receive Cash's book marks as birthday presents in the future, well I dropped a big hint to Mr S, hope he was listening.


Cash is still in business and produces name tapes and items such as bookmarks and greeting cards. This past weekend I was delighted to find some at the Coventry Transport Museum. Veronica and I marvelled at the current collection. The design, details and the colours are really beautiful. I picked up two booklets: Silken Weave, A History of Ribbon Making in Coventry from 1770 to 1860, and Still Weaving - J and J Cash Ltd of Coventry. These two booklets are excellent sources on the history of a craft and the effect that the industry has had on the character and development of a City.

35 comments:

  1. Interesting post, I've learnt something new today as I always thought J & J Cash Ltd only made name tags. I remember the excitment of receiving printed name tags before I started school (in fact I still have a few) and also ordering them for my own children.
    Judith

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a couple of Cash's woven pictures,one called Premiere Culotte (His First Trousers) "after the painting by Fred Morgan," that I purchased while in Germany at a huge antiques sale. The other is called Heros Du Jour,(The Day's Hero) "after the painting by Fred Morgan." I really love them. The day's hero is of a boy showing off a fish he caught. These are modern,but 100% Silk Woven Picture(s)from Cash's French Series.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have been meaning to go online for some time now to see who made the picture that I have. It has the J&J Cash label on the back and is the Cardinal. It looks like the frames are the same as mine. I found it at a garage sale for fifty cents.I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. HI,DOES ANYONE KNOW ,ANY THING ABOUT,"SUIVEZ LE GUIDE" OR HEUREUX AGE" BOTH BY J7J CASH LTD COVENTRY ENGLAND.

    MERMAID

    ReplyDelete
  5. James Eisenhardt5 July 2009 at 03:57

    About 25 years ago while I had a fellowship to study in Stratford with the RSC, my wife and I purchased 6 of the bird series of silk weavings including the robin. We also purchased 5 Butterfly weavings. These became gifts to a dear couple who will be celebrating their 60th aniversary soon and would love to complete the butterfly series.

    Is J & J Cash out of the decorative market now? We live in the US so secondhand shops and boot sales are not available to us. I lead a London theatre tour every February and wonder if you know of anyplace there that might carry any Cash decrative weavings. They have brought great pleasure to us and our older friends so any assistance would be appreciated.

    omahamystery@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have 2 lovely silk pics one is the Hunt dinner the other The meet.
      Willing to sell.

      Sue Copeland.

      Delete
  6. Dee.flavell@hotmail.co.uk,,i am an ex worker of j.jcash coventry,,i have a number of woven pics,,including two large black and white french pic,,(secret whispers and L"Orage)i purchased them in the early seventies,,the company are still making woven pics,,,and are still based in torrington ave coventry,,since they moved from cashes lane,,,fantastic company to work for,,,

    ReplyDelete
  7. We have recently come into the possession of a set of 6 Beatrix Potter woven pictures by j & j cash ltd. we have tried looking for any information on them but have had no luck. If anyone has any information it would be much appreciated.Thanks
    email: alex_hammond_1987@hotmail.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have one picture in silk and rayon from the Wildlife serie the Hare, very beautiful i am curious how much are these pictures worth? anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi I actually work at Cash's and my mother is responsible for finishing off the beautiful fine arts we produce.
    I would be happy to help any one with any questions they may have.

    kgraham@cashs.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i have great horned owl how much are they worth ?

      Delete
    2. I suggest you email K Graham directly...enjoy your picture.

      Delete
  10. I worked for them in the seventys i wove silk ribbon & pictures good co to work for have a few samples of old pictures,Eve Jones

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have found 4 Cash's at a garage sale and though they were lovely, Mississippi Steamboat c.1870, The Village Inn, Street Scene c.1842 and a lovely cottage scene signed by a D.Whittay which is my fav. Wld be interested to hear worth of silk paintings

    ReplyDelete
  12. i found 4 Cash's at a garage sale Mississippi Steamboat (C.1870), The Village Inn, Street Scene c.1842 and one signed by D,Whittay which is of a gorgeous country cottage and very colourful. If anyone is interested in aquiring these items please email me at tifflothian@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have three pictures of children from the french series.with the label on the back and framed in perfect condition.does anyone know how old they are.thankyou

    ReplyDelete
  14. I also have 3 pictures of Children in perfect condition. One is called "Tug of War". The larger one is called "Secrets" and then to be honest with you, the other one is packed away and I don't remember the name. The silk is in all neutrals...grey, black, silver white. Would love to know the value and if there is a venue for selling these.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have 2 of the very beautiful genuine woven pictures from the Cash's collector range. Another fine example of Jacquard loom artistry perfected over 125 years by craftsmen of Coventry, England.
    1) Bull Finch -Pyrrhula Pyrrhula and 2) Robin-Erithacus Rubecula
    Also Anne Hattaway's Cottage.

    Please tell me how much is it worth? Regards Susie

    ReplyDelete
  16. Although I am touched that so many people are reading this blog on this topic, I am sorry that I do not wish to become a selling area for people on Woven Silk Pictures. I think ebay would be an appropirate place to sell. This is the reason why I may not publish some comments which are left.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have two small weasel pictures of Cashs. Do you have any idea what they are worth? Thank you
    A. Parent
    littlewing582007@yahoo.com













    ReplyDelete
  18. I have the silk picture of the Cardinal. The tag on the back says it is a genuine woven picture from the Cash's collector Range. I would like to know the value. It is framed and in perfect condition. Thanks for your help

    ReplyDelete
  19. Over the last couple of years I have bought two pictures of the Cardinal, both under £10. I gave them away as presents. The pictures are lovely, and only rare ones reach higher prices. I have no idea which are the rare or pricey ones. I just bye ones which catch my eye....and enjoy them. I have a few spare, and rotate them according to the seasons.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi; I HAVE a "J & J CASH " - JEWELLERY BOX WITH 2 WOVEN SILK PICTURES ON THE TOP OF THE BOX, - AND AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHEN IT WAS MADE ???

    BERNIE

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have three Cash Woven pictures I would like to find a homes for. Otherwise they will need to go into storage. Two are from the Butterflies and Wild flowers collector series, the other from the Bird collector series.If you need more information and ore interested in aquiring them, please contact me. P.L.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have three Cash woven pictures - cardinals, kingfisher and rufous humming bird. My husband found them in the garbage. I would like to know if they are of any value, or should I return them to where they came from. Thanks very much. I appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They sell for around £10 in local second had shops. If you like them, keep them. If you have a friend who likes birds, then I am sure they would appreciate them. Why put something pretty back in the 'garbage'. Give them to someone is you do not want them.

      Delete
  23. Many thanks for this blog. I bought two miniatures of ducks today because I think they are beautiful. I appreciate all of your comments as I knew nothing of Cash until. The thrift store where I saw them also has two much larger weavings. i think I'll pop on down and pick them up. Will make a super collection. Kate

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have become addicted to collecting the natural history series of woven pictures (birds, butterflies, animals). There's a thriving market on eBay and I sometimes stumble across one in a charity shop or boot sale. So far I have collected 62! I change the ones on display every month. Most of them can be picked up for around £6 - £10.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done you on having such a collection. I still look around the shops and have acquired more since, and keep writing about them. You can use my search button to read more. I too have a seasonal change around. I recently picked up a couple of boxed ones exactly as when bought again one for £7, the other £9..a nice little treat. Which would you say are your three favourites?

      Delete
  25. I have a wooden cigarette box from my parents. Set in the lid is a woven silk picture of a Cape Dutch house, perhaps Groot Constantia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds charming Diana. I haven't seen or heard of a picture incorporated into an artifact. Something new to look out for.

      Delete
  26. I found my first Cash woven picture of two bullfinches at a antique store for $6.50

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So pleased you are enjoying your picture, and what a canny shopper you are. Isn't it lovely to have a nicely made artifact a little different to the run of the mill. Do post if you find another one.

      Delete
  27. I have a set of four collectors silks; English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish cottages. an 18th birthday present 40 years ago. any idea what they are worth as thinking giving them as a wedding present but not sure it’s enough? original tissue and boxes, in drawer for years now! can only find birds, hunting scenes and flowers on Internet searches.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Lulu. Your silks sound charming, and well done on keeping them this long. I have no idea as to their value. If you know the couple well, may I suggest you show them one, and find out whether it is something they would like. If yes, show them the set. I am sure any present given with love, and which will be enjoyed would be appreciated. The value is only that which you could achieve if you can find the right buyer. Maybe approach your local auction rooms. Enjoy the wedding.

      Delete