Woven Stories: Ribbon Pendant
A rare form of horse-hair artistry, horse tail hair woven entirely by hand and captured in a sterling silver pendant.
The Woven Stories Ribbon Pendant 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 by hand into a miniature textile before being permanently inlaid into a substantial solid sterling silver pendant.
At approximately 50 × 11 mm, its long, slender proportions give the weave enough space for the remarkable detail of the handwoven horse hair to be appreciated, while the softly burnished silver creates a clean, contemporary frame.
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 pendant 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.
The pendant is supplied on your choice of 16", 18" or 20" sterling silver snake chain.
- Solid sterling silver
- Approximately 50 × 11 mm
- Horse hair woven entirely by hand
- Made using your horse’s tail hair or our horse hair
- Plain, Patterned, Brocade Lines or Racing Silk Lines
- Choice of 16", 18" or 20" sterling silver snake chain
- 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.
Sending your horse hair
For all our handwoven designs, we require full-length tail hairs, ideally at least 40–45 cm long. Although the finished piece may be small, the hairs must be set up on the loom, so shorter cut lengths cannot be used.
Please send the hairs at their full length without trimming the ends. A small bundle is plenty—approximately the thickness of a fat pencil. Any unused hair will be returned with your finished jewellery.
Because horse hair naturally tapers, the strands must be woven with half running in each direction. Please secure the hair at the top with a rubber plaiting band or similar, leaving the full length loose. Send it clean, completely dry and free of tangles.
Making & Delivery
Each piece is individually handmade to order, and commissions are as far as possible completed in the order they are received.
Lead times are broadly 4 - 6 weeks depending on the size of our order book, casting and hallmarking schedules. If you have a particular date in mind, please let us know when ordering and we will do our best to accommodate it.
Once completed, your jewellery will be carefully packaged and sent using an insured, tracked service. UK delivery is included.
Care & Longevity
Your pendant is made to be worn and enjoyed, and a little care will help preserve the handwoven horse-hair inlay.
Avoid prolonged soaking and remove your pendant before bathing, swimming or using household cleaning products. We also recommend removing it when applying hand creams, lotions, perfumes or other products that may build up within the weave.
Take care to avoid snagging or abrading the woven surface, and store your pendant carefully when it is not being worn.
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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