BBC - A History of the World - Object : Queensway Coronation Silk

Queensway Coronation silk. Copyright Braintree District Museum

Hide image caption
Show image caption

Local residents in Braintree queued outside the mill to see the coronation fabrics being woven at Warner and Sons.Queensway is a blue silk and gold thread fabric, which was woven for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation on 2 June 1953. The fabric was first designed by Robert Godden, R.D.I, F.S.I.A, Rector of the Royal College of Art in London. It was woven by Warner and Sons Ltd in Braintree under the direction of Alec Hunter for the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The design was woven in two colourways in December 1952. Blue with gold lurex thread and gold with gold lurex thread.

It depicts the first heraldic emblem of the Sovereign to show both the kingdoms of England (Rose), Scotland (Thistle) and Ireland (Shamrock) as well as the Principality of Wales (Leek).

The silk weaving firm of Warner and Sons has a long history of providing silks and velvets for royal occasions and households that dates back to Queen Victoria's time.

Comments are closed for this object

Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC or the British Museum. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.