Lancashire Loom

Made:
1880-1900 in Darwen

Lancashire loom made by J. & R. Shorrock, Darwen, Lancashire, about 1880-1900.

Power looms like this were so widespread across Lancashire in the second half of the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century that they were known as 'Lancashire looms'. There were over three quarters of a million across the county by 1850. One weaving shed could contain 700 looms like this, being operated by workers for up to 12 hours a day, weaving cotton yarn into cloth.

This example was manufactured by J.R. Shorrock and Co. in Darwen, Blackburn, towards the end of the nineteenth century. Darwen became a centre for cotton manufacturing in the nineteenth century, and engineering industries like J.R. Shorrock and Co. grew up to supply the textile mills with machinery.

Details

Category:
Textile Industry
Object Number:
Y1997.120
Materials:
metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
Measurements:
crate: 965 mm x 2265 mm x 1200 mm,
type:
loom
credit:
Gift of Bradford Industrial Museum