The origins of the East End textile industry can be traced to the 14th century when Flemish artisans set up dye works on the River Lea. In the late 17th century the Huguenots arrived in Spitalfields bringing their skills with silk-weaving, lace-making, fan-making, etc. Then the Jewish tailors arrived and enriched the area further.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
garment and textile industries in the East End
Commemorated ati
Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane north
We failed to find this plaque in Dec-Jan 2017, but it is identical to that fu...
Bowler plaque - Scissors and Buttons - Brick Lane south
There is meant to be another identical plaque further north in Brick Lane but...
Bowler plaque - Shuttle and Bobbins
The plaque shows a shuttle and two bobbins, representing the local weaving tr...
Whitechapel Threads sculpture
The artists worked with the Rope Makers Guild to produce this image of two sk...
Other Subjects
Henry Charles Stephens
Businessman and politician. Born at 71 York Road, Lambeth (demolished), the son of Dr Henry Stephens. Known as 'Inky', he developed the writing fluid invented by his father. He served as member of ...
Jonathan’s Coffee House
Founded by Jonathan Miles in Exchange Alley around 1680. In 1698 John Castaing posted a list of prices for stocks and commodities. And so traders who were expelled from the Royal Exchange used Jona...
Thomas Twining
The Twickenham plaque is mistaken about his role as founder of Twining's Tea, since that company was founded in 1706 by a Thomas Twining, born in 1675. The Twining's website shows no interest in th...
Previously viewed
Queen Elizabeth Gate
W1, South Carriage Drive
Wynne was the artist for the central, cartoony, lion and unicorn screen. Lund was the designer of the rather lovely forged stainless ste...