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Paisley Shawl

Paisley Shawl - Shawl
Accession #: 1359.20
Title: Paisley Shawl
Object Type: Shawl
Participants:
Physical Description: This rectangular shawl has a black center with predominantly red paisley patterned borders. It is wider at each of the shorter ends.There are remnants of fringe along shorter edges. The fiibers are likely wool and silk.
Description: Handwoven wool shawls from the Kashmir Valley were highly prized in England and France during the 18th century. British and French weavers copied them, although they continued to be made in India. These pieces became known as "paisley" shawls when weavers in Paisley, Scotland, increased production by using a Jacquard mechanism on their looms. The shape of the shawls changed over time with fashion. Shawls were square-shaped, folded in half and worn as triangles in the 1820s; in the 1840s they became quite long, so they could be wrapped around crinolines. This shawl probably came to Spokane around 1902 with the Pope family, who moved from New England.
Category: Textiles
Dimensions:
Object L x W 133 x 61 1/2" (without fringe)
Materials/Techniques:
silk (Material)
wool (Material)
Credit Line: Gift of Ellen and Mary Pope, 1947

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