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Wool Merchant taking pieces of cloth to the Cloth Hall at Leeds for sale
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Wool Merchant taking pieces of cloth to the Cloth Hall at Leeds for sale
Wool Merchant taking pieces of cloth to the Cloth Hall at Leeds for sale. These lengths of cloth were made by homeworkers. Merchants supplied raw material and marketed finished cloth. With the coming of woollen mills and industrialisation these craftsmen were gradually driven out of work. From George Walker The Costume of Yorkshire Leeds 1814. Aquatint
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Media ID 9763463
© Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group
1814 Aquatint Cloth Coming Costume Craftsmen Driven Finished George Hall Horse Industrialisation Leeds Market Material Merchant Merchants Mills Pieces Sale Supplied Taking Textiles Transport Walker Wool Woollen Work Yorkshire Gradually Lengths Marketed
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of a bygone era in Yorkshire, England. The image showcases a diligent Wool Merchant on horseback, transporting pieces of exquisite cloth to the bustling Cloth Hall at Leeds for sale. These lengths of cloth were meticulously crafted by skilled homeworkers who poured their expertise into every stitch. In this snapshot from 1814, we witness the symbiotic relationship between merchants and craftsmen as they collaborated to bring these remarkable textiles to market. The merchant not only supplied the raw materials but also played a pivotal role in marketing the finished cloth. However, lurking behind this picturesque scene is an undercurrent of change. With the advent of woollen mills and industrialization, these talented craftsmen gradually found themselves pushed out of work. Their traditional methods could no longer compete with the efficiency and scale offered by mechanized production. As we gaze upon this historical moment frozen in time through George Walker's aquatint technique, we are reminded of how progress can simultaneously uplift and displace communities. This poignant image serves as a testament to both the resilience and vulnerability inherent in our ever-evolving world. Let us cherish this glimpse into Yorkshire's rich textile heritage while acknowledging that it represents more than just a snapshot; it encapsulates an entire era marked by innovation, transformation, and societal shifts that forever altered the fabric of British industry.
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