The Last Handloom Weaver

 

Of Card mount: 24.8cm deep by 18.3cm wide
Of Silk picture: 14.0cm deep by 8.3cm wide

Cartwright & Sheldon originally produced this silk picture, as the last one they made, to coincide with the closure of the Paradise Mill - their home of many years. The Macclesfield Silk Museum later took over the Paradise Mill buildings and arranged to have this silk re-woven by Adamley Textiles, using the original Jacquard cards.
 
As the re-woven version is identical to the original, there are no distinguishing features on the actual silk. As however the original Last Handloom Weaver silk had a printed title and Seandess name, whilst the card matt above has no printing at all, it is assumed this is a distinguishing feature.
 

image of rear label:

THE LAST HANDLOOM WEAVER    This silk picture was originally designed  and woven at Paradise Mill by  Cartwright & Sheldon (Seandess) and  depicts Jim Clark who continued  weaving on the jacquard handlooms  until the mill closed in 1981. Hence he  was the 'LAST HANDLOOM  WEAVER.'    The silk picture was  subsequently rewoven for the Silk  Museum by Adamley Textiles who  acquired the design and cards.