Tuesday 17 January 2012

Madagascar Golden Orb Spider proves spinning threads of gold is not just an old yarn.

Have you heard that the golden silk produced by over a million Malagasy Golden Orb Spiders has been woven into the most stunning spider-silk golden cape and 4 metre long shawl. It’s true! These unique spider-spun garments have just have just been revealed in an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The exquisite beauty of these intricately woven garments is a testament to the incredible skill of Madagascar’s finest weavers. Traditionally weaving ceremonial shawls or ‘lamba’ from raffia, cotton and silk, these highly skilled weavers have turned their hand to spiders’ silk with stunning effect.

Follow the link below to see the garments and hear an interview with ‘spidermen’ Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley, the masters behind this fantastical project.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/today/hi/today/newsid_9677000/9677046.stm

If you’re intrigued by the ingenious silk producers of Madagascar, watch this space for our home-spun story from our new project in Makira - revealing the discoveries of the silk specialists of SEPALI .