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Image Licensing : Carving a printing block at Crysede Island Works, St Ives, Cornwall. Probably 1930s
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Carving a printing block at Crysede Island Works, St Ives, Cornwall. Probably 1930s
Keith Ross carving a printing block, watched by Tom Heron (right). Alec Walker left Mirfield, Yorkshire, in 1918 to set up a small experimental textile factory in Newlyn where wood-block printed silk fabrics and garments were designed and manufactured. By 1925 the Crysede venture had become a successful craft industry, employing many local people, which required larger premises. In 1926 the works moved to the former Western Pilchard cellar at the base of The Island in St Ives, where this photograph was taken. Photographer: Unknown. Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture. © From the collection of the RIC
TRURI : IVScr.6
Media ID 18238784
Filename: TRURI-IVScr-6.tiff
Size: 9000 x 5624 (8.4MB)
Date: 11th December 2018
Source: Royal Cornwall Museum
County: Cornwall
Location Name: 50.208386, -5.490886
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph transports us back to the 1930s, capturing a significant moment in the history of Crysede Island Works in St Ives, Cornwall. The image showcases Keith Ross meticulously carving a printing block, while Tom Heron observes attentively on the right. Alec Walker, originally from Mirfield, Yorkshire, embarked on an ambitious venture in 1918 when he established a small experimental textile factory in Newlyn. This innovative endeavor focused on designing and manufacturing wood-block printed silk fabrics and garments. By 1925, Walker's brainchild had evolved into a thriving craft industry that provided employment opportunities for numerous locals. In order to accommodate its growing success, Crysede Island Works relocated to the former Western Pilchard cellar at the base of The Island in St Ives in 1926 – precisely where this remarkable snapshot was taken. Although the identity of the photographer remains unknown, their skillful composition immortalizes this pivotal moment within Crysede's history. The photograph serves as a testament to both craftsmanship and dedication as Ross delicately carves intricate patterns onto the wooden block under Heron's watchful eye. It offers us a glimpse into the meticulous process behind creating these unique textiles by hand. Today, this historical print stands as an invaluable artifact housed within Royal Cornwall Museum – preserving not only Crysede's legacy but also paying homage to Cornwall's rich textile heritage.
