Our Legacy of Excellence in Fabric Weaving - David Walters: Exquisite Fabrics for Luxury Home Interiors

HISTORY

Over 300 years of quality, creativity and innovation.

David Walters Fabrics was established in 1986 in Suffolk, as a specialist weaver of luxury furnishing fabrics.

However, the family's rich weaving legacy originates back much earlier than this to Spitalfields London in 1720.

Our History

The Walters family business was founded in the silk weaving district of Spitalfields London, by the weaver Benjamin Walters in 1720. Benjamin taught his craft to his son Joseph Walters (1725–1782) who went on to produce loom-woven figured dress fabrics and furnishing fabrics such as brocatelle’s and damasks. By 1825, Joseph’s grandchildren Joseph III (1774–1854), Stephen (1778-1864) and Daniel (1790-1876), divided the company into two separate companies. Stephen Walters specialising in apparel fabrics and Daniel Walters setting up a new furnishings company in Braintree, Essex.

In 1862 Daniel Walters & Sons Ltd was named as the leading British manufacturer of figured silks at the Great Exhibition. Their ‘Thistle and Rose’ fabric, designed by noted textile designer William Folliott won the Gold medal at the Royal society of Arts, and was woven for the Palace ballroom at Buckingham Palace. The business boomed and gained further royal commissions, such as the Prince of Wales’s residence and the Crimson Dining room of Windsor Castle to name a few. However, in 1894 Daniel’s children sold the company to textile manufacturer Warners & Sons.

The Walters family business was founded by Benjamin Walters in Spitalfields, London.

1720

The Walters family business was founded by Benjamin Walters in Spitalfields, London.

Joseph’s grandchildren, Joseph III, Stephen and Daniel divided the business into two separate companies. Stephen Walters concentrating on apparel fabrics and Daniel Walters focusing on furnishings.

Joseph Walters (1725-unknown). Original painting by Gainsborough

1825

Joseph’s grandchildren, Joseph III, Stephen and Daniel divided the business into two separate companies. Stephen Walters concentrating on apparel fabrics and Daniel Walters focusing on furnishings.

Daniel Walters & Sons Ltd was named as the leading British manufacturer of figured silks at the Great Exhibition. The ‘Thistle and Rose’ fabric won the Gold medal at the Royal society of Arts, and was woven for the Palace ballroom at Buckingham Palace.