Shawl
19th century
Description
This lightweight shawl was woven from extremely fine wool. In the region of Kashmir, wool was traditionally taken from the soft under-hair of the Himalayan goat. The shawl is made up of a number of separately woven pieces, a practice undertaken to speed up the labor-intensive process of making such shawls, as global demand for them exploded during the 19th century. The main design of this shawl features large bota or droplet-like motifs organized in three rows. Each bota motif is composed of a colorful array of flowers, leaves, and vases, with additional vegetal motifs interspersed between them.
Dimensions
123 × 139 cm (48 7/16 × 54 3/4 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreCotton and wool, plain weave striped with basket weave
20th centuryAmericanLinen and wool, tapestry woven
EgyptianSilk with metallic yarns (filé)
18th centuryFrench
Textile fibers
20th centuryGermanBook of swatches mounted on paper (56 sheets)
19th-20th centuryJapanese