The Swainson Kingfisher Silk Scarf

£225.00

Free Express Delivery Worldwide On Orders Over £100

This scarf features a sketch of a Kingfisher by the 18th century naturalist William Swainson.

100% Silk
Hand Rolled
Designed and Printed in Britain
90cm x 90cm
Free Worldwide Delivery

Inspired by the colours of the image, we've utilised a white background and repeated the image to create a stunning blend that works when worn in a variety of styles as well as complementing a number of outfit choices.

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What Makes Our Silk Scarves Exceptional

William Swainson

William Swainson (8 October 1789 - 6 December 1855) was an English artist, naturalist and ornithologist and is often best remembered for the quality of his zoological illustrations. His friend William Elford Leach, head of zoology at the British Museum, encouraged him to experiment with lithography for his book Zoological Illustrations (1820–23). Swainson became the first illustrator and naturalist to use lithography, a relatively cheap means of reproduction that did not require an engraver. It was his early adoption of this new technology and his natural skill of illustration that in large part led to his fame.

Macclesfield Printed Silk

Macclesfield was once the centre of the English silk weaving industry and the world's biggest producer of finished silk. The area has been printing silk for over 300 years and at one point had over seventy mills operating in the town. The town is close to a water supply that passes through limestone, and when used in washing and dyeing it gives silk a uniquely attractive lustre.

Our silk scarves are printed at a mill that has been producing printed fabric on the same site for the past fifty years and the process uses water sourced from its own reservoir.

Hand Rolling

The art of hand rolling scarves is a unique craft and truly makes each piece individual and unique. We feel that the precision and care taken by our skilled artisans gives each scarf its own unique character, finish and feel. To create the finest rolled hems, the edge of the silk or cotton pocket square must be softy turned over with handheld needle and then small stitches are inserted approximately one half to one centimetre apart around the edge, creating a supple yet prominent border. It’s absolutely the best way to finish a scarf for a variety of reasons but the key ones are for both visual effect and structure. Rolling by hand is the only way to get a really nice clean plump finish on the edge and this gives a really nice depth to the edges. It’s a more expensive process than machine rolling but by using a machine you’re often left with a flat edge and you don’t get the same luxurious feel. On top of this, the rolled edges add a lot more structure to your scarf.