Victorian Paisley Shawl Jacquard Fabric Ivory Red & Green Wool Scarf

This is a woven Victorian Paisley Shawl Jacquard Fabric Ivory Red & Green Wool Scarf dating to the early to mid Victorian period. The piece appears to be machine loomed and features a paisley pattern in tones of red and green against an ivory white background, with the center being primarily plain ivory white. I believe that white centers were the favored design of earlier shawls - with improved looming techniques, full colored paisleys came to be produced later on.

This shawl measures 68" by 66" - there are some remnants of fringe, but it appears that most of this was removed at some point in its life. It has three or four quite small holes, the largest being 1/4" long, really quite minor damage. Otherwise, it is in very good condition with or other holes, tearing or stains. Victorian Paisley Shawls were first imported to Europe during the early 19th century. They originated in Kashmir, located in Northern India and came to Europe via French soldiers, who sent Turkish shawls back home as presents while waging the military campaign in Egypt. The Turkish shawls, however, were imitations of the true Kashmir shawl and the type of design that we now associate with the term "paisley", also known as the "pine" pattern, came into being only around 1820, when shawls from Northern India began appearing in England. Machine based looming of these types of shawls was devised in Paisley, Scotland, which became a center of production, hence the name "Paisley". In 1842, in order to boost the domestic economy, Queen Victoria ordered 17 shawls from paisley, especially in order to wear one to the christening of the newly born Prince Edward. At this point the paisley shawl became a fashion necessity. By 1870, however, the paisley was no longer in fashion and very few were being made any more.

Age: mid-19th century

This is a lovely piece....authentic Victorian shawl and an interesting example....