Coventry was the centre of silk weaving in the mid 19th century, but after the introduction of a free trade agreement in 1860 that removed import duties on silks, brocades and ribbons, and a change in fashions, the silk ribbon industry in Coventry was no longer competitive. This led to financial difficulties for the weaving factories, and they looked for ways to diversify.

About 1862, one of the weavers, Thomas Stevens was able to complete modifications to his ribbon weaving Jacquard looms to produce multi-coloured woven silk pictures, which he called Stevengraphs. As well as pictures often featuring horse racing, foxhunting, or portraits, he produced woven silk bookmarks, greeting cards and postcards. The pictures were a standard size of 5 1/2 inches x 2 1/2 inches.

Stevens was able to successfully market his products and he dominated the woven silk market from the 1860's until 1940 more...

13 items found:

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Framed early Stevengraph 'Dick Turpin's Last Ride' 'on his…

Stevengraph: Dick Turpin's Last Ride

Framed early Stevengraph 'Dick Turpin's Last Ride' 'on his Bonnie Black Bess,' pure silk woven picture, original label verso, 9 cm x 18 cm image.

C19th 'the lady Godiva procession' stevengraph 22 cm x 12.5 cm…

Lady Godiva Procession Stevengraph Framed, 19th Century

C19th 'the lady Godiva procession' stevengraph 22 cm x 12.5 cm approx framed

Three framed Stevengraph silk panels, hunting scenes

Silk Hunting Scenes in Frames

Three framed Stevengraph silk panels, hunting scenes

Victorian woven silk picture 'The Good Old Days', by…

Stevengraph's 'The Good Old Days' Victorian Silk Picture

Victorian woven silk picture 'The Good Old Days', by Stevengraph Works (Thomas Stevens), Coventry, 24 cm x 32.5 cm (frame)

A Stevengraph 'The Death of Nelson', framed & glazed, overall…

Stevengraph: Death of Nelson, framed & glazed

A Stevengraph 'The Death of Nelson', framed & glazed, overall 26 x 19 cm.

Three hunting stevengraphs. 'The Meet', 'Full Cry' and 'The…

Hunting Stevengraph Trio

Three hunting stevengraphs. 'The Meet', 'Full Cry' and 'The death'. 5 x 15 cm each

Stevengraphs: group of three showing the 'Lord Howe' steam…

Vintage Stevengraphs: Trains, Coaches, and Horses Trio

Stevengraphs: group of three showing the 'Lord Howe' steam train; coaching scene & horse racing scene, each framed & captioned. 15 x 5 cm each

Three framed Stevengraphs. 'The Start;' 'The Finish;' and 'The…

Stevengraph Trio: Start, Finish, Good Old Days

Three framed Stevengraphs. 'The Start;' 'The Finish;' and 'The Good Old Days'. Woven silk (3). 5 x 15 cm. Each

Five unframed Stevengraphs. 'The Lady Godiva Procession;' 'For…

Unframed Stevengraphs: Lady Godiva, Heroism, Last Lap, Nostalgia, First Touch

Five unframed Stevengraphs. 'The Lady Godiva Procession;' 'For Life or Death - Heroism on Land;' 'The Last Lap;' 'The Good Old Days;' and 'The First Touch'. Woven silk (5). 5 x 15 cm each

Three framed Stevengraphs. 'The Present Time, 60 Miles An Hour;…

Three Stevengraphs: Present, Start, Rescue

Three framed Stevengraphs. 'The Present Time, 60 Miles An Hour;' 'The Start;' and 'Called to the Rescue - Heroism at Sea'. Woven silk (3). 5 x 15 cm. Each

Stevengraphs and silk pictures. Group of (4) framed or mounted…

19th Century Silks and Price Guide Book

Stevengraphs and silk pictures. Group of (4) framed or mounted 19th century silks with accompanying book 'The Price Guide to Stevegraphs'. Noted, Railway stevengraph with caption and original label verso. (5 items)

Stevengraph 'The Start'

Beginning Tapestry

Stevengraph 'The Start'

Stevengraph 'The Good Old Days'

Nostalgic Stevengraph: 'Good Old Days'

Stevengraph 'The Good Old Days'