TWO INDIAN SHAWLS
Kashmir, Northern India, and Europe, late 19th century

TWO INDIAN SHAWLS
Kashmir, Northern India, and Europe, late 19th century

Comprising a man’s shawl of unbleached, twill-woven fine ivory pashmina wool, decorated with a narrow border of scrolling floral sprays added in re-weaving (Rafu) technique, the motifs in lavender-grey twill tapestry, outlined in purple and pink silk threads, the four corners of elegant embroidered buti (paisley leaves) in matching colours, the border selvedge in green, 310cm x 145cm excluding the loose fringe, 500gr.; and a paisley square shawl of polychrome wools, jacquard-woven with a symmetrical design of converging floral urns within elaborate floral palmettes, 184cm x 188cm.

The subtly sumptuous man’s pashmina shawl is a living example of some of the finest accoutrements worn by Mughal noblemen portrayed in 18th and 19th-century miniatures, the survival of which is a small miracle.

(Quantity:2)