If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions
Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.
If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category
Please identify country, region, county or town
Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.
Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/
People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).
People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.
People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.
People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.
People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.
Lack of tools and equipment – The specialist looms and associated apparatus required for weaving linen damask—particularly Jacquard looms—have become so rare that they are more commonly found in museums than in active workshops. Their size, complexity, and upkeep demands mean few working examples remain, and access to operational machinery is now a major barrier to practice and preservation.
Lack of Apprenticeship and Training Pathways – There are currently no formal apprenticeship programmes, accredited courses, or structured training opportunities in linen damask weaving. The highly specialised skills required for this craft are at serious risk of disappearing, with limited options for transmission to new generations of makers.
Loss of Card Cutting Expertise and Equipment – The production of damask relies on punched Jacquard cards to encode patterns, yet both the machines used to cut these cards and the skilled operatives who know how to use them are now extremely scarce. This limits the ability to produce new designs or replicate historic patterns, adding another layer of fragility to the craft’s survival.
Sustained Largely in Museum Contexts – In most cases, linen damask weaving survives only in a museum context—demonstrated for educational or heritage purposes rather than practiced as a living, evolving craft. Whilst this is important in retaining valuable skills, this framing can further distance the tradition from everyday cultural relevance and economic sustainability.
e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.
If yes, please describe the issues below
e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.
Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools
i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts
Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?
e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.
e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict
Please describe any other issues
Please describe any UK projects or schemes
Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.
It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.
e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.
e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.
This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.
e.g. books, websites etc.
Enter the destination URL
Or link to existing content
