My Essex Login | Register

Warner Textile Archive

Housed within the archive is an extensive collection of original artwork by leading designers and major artists who were commissioned by Warner to produce fabric designs for palaces, stately homes, liners, hotels as well as ordinary homes.
The archive also includes documents and photographs relating to the history of Warner's business in Braintree. The Warner Textile Archive Gallery is a celebration of the fabrics and designs within the archive. Colour, shape and texture are the key words to describe the Gallery. Every drawer and display case takes the visitor on an exciting visual voyage of discovery from Warner’s unique three-pile velvets, the intricate woven silks of Owen Jones, cutting edge designs of the 1920s and 1930s, the boldness of the 1950s through to the iconic designs of the late twentieth century. The Warner Textile Archive is part of the Braintree District Museum and Study centre Trust. A visit to the archive wouldn't be complete without popping into the District Museum in Manor Street, to discover the important role Braintree has played in the development of Britain's textile industry.