Woven Stories: Ribbon Bracelet
A rare form of horse-hair artistry, horse tail hair woven entirely by hand into an elegant ribbon bracelet.
The Woven Stories Ribbon Bracelet showcases one of the most intricate and unusual techniques in horse-hair jewellery. Practised by very few makers, individual strands of horse hair are woven entirely by hand into a miniature textile, allowing the remarkable natural colours and detail of the weave to take centre stage.
Finished with solid sterling silver fittings and clasp, the supple woven ribbon sits smoothly around the wrist. A choice of bracelet widths allows you to select a more delicate or more substantial interpretation of the design.
Choose from four distinctive interpretations of the weave — Plain, Patterned, Brocade Lines and Racing Silk Lines — each offering a different way to celebrate the natural colours and character of your horse’s hair.
Each bracelet is individually made to order using your own horse’s tail hair, or horse hair selected from our collection. Natural variations in colour and tone become part of the finished weave, ensuring that no two pieces are ever quite alike.
- Solid sterling silver fittings and clasp
- Horse-hair ribbon woven entirely by hand
- Available in a choice of bracelet widths
- Made using your horse’s tail hair or our horse hair
- Plain, Patterned, Brocade Lines or Racing Silk Lines
- Hallmarked by the London Assay Office
- Beautifully gift boxed
THE WEAVE STYLES
Plain Crinoline — an understated weave that allows the natural colour and character of the horse hair to take centre stage.
The Plain Crinoline is plain with no pattern and can be made either from single hair colour or by blending different hair colours which gives a repeating, mottled effect. "Crin" is of course French for "horse hair" and traditionally horse hair was woven into a stiff fabric, called "crinoline", which was used to stiffen ladies' underskirts and dress linings.
Patterned — contrasting horse hair colours are combined to create remarkably intricate miniature designs, from traditional tweeds and tiny motifs to stripes with a nod to British tailoring fabrics and Argentinian Gaucho belt-inspired geometric patterns.
Brocade Lines — fine strands of real silver bullion thread are woven through the horse hair, introducing a subtle flash of precious metal into the weave.
Brocade is a richly decorative, luxury fabric often woven with metallic thread. We incorporate into the woven horse hair band real silver bullion thread * spun for us by Benton & Johnson, one of the last traditional bullion thread suppliers in the UK.
Choose from:
925 (Silver, single), a single central thread
925 (Silver, double), double central threads
Racing Silk Lines — add a dash of colour to plain horse hair. Coloured silk is woven through the horse hair, allowing you to introduce a favourite colour, echo your racing or competition colours, or to create a striking contrast.
Because horse hair naturally varies in colour and tone, the finished weave will be unique to your horse. Variations along the length of individual hairs can create particularly beautiful and unexpected effects within the pattern.
SENDING YOUR HORSE HAIR
For all handwoven designs, we need full-length tail hairs, ideally at least 40–45 cm long. Although the finished piece may be small, the tail hairs must be set up on the loom, so short cut lengths cannot be used.
Please take the hairs at their full length rather than trimming the ends. A small bundle is plenty - about the thickness of a fat pencil.
Any unused horse hair will be returned with your finished jewellery.
Important: because horse hair tapers along its length, it must be woven with half of the hairs one way up and half the other way up to compensate for the taper. Therefore please secure your horse hair at the top with a rubber plaiting band or similar.
Please send the hair clean, completely dry and tangle free.
MAKING & DELIVERY
Each piece is individually handmade to order and commissions are completed in the order they are received.
If you have a particular date in mind, please tell us when ordering and we will do our best to accommodate it. If your date is essential, please contact us before placing your order.
CARE & LONGEVITY
Your ribbon bracelet is made to be worn and enjoyed, but a little care will help preserve the woven horse hair band and keep your jewellery looking its best.
Avoid prolonged soaking and remove your bracelet before bathing, swimming or using household cleaning products. Take care to avoid snagging or abrading the woven band, particularly where Brocade or Racing Silk threads have been incorporated into the weave.
Racing Silk Lines require particular care, as the fine silk threads are more delicate than horse hair and can be damaged by repeated abrasion.
Please follow the care instructions supplied with your jewellery.
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