Square woven shawl with a red ground and multicolored kaleidoscope design in pink, orange, green, blue, purple, and white. A taupe eight-pointed star in the center is surrounded by snake-like forms. From each corner, a yellow pinecone form set on an elaborate vase points toward the center; between these is a smaller, purple cone. Curled multi-colored feathers are between the yellow and purple cones. An inner guard border has a repeating design of alternating flowers, surrounded by a thin green floral border. The outer “harlequin” border is made of bands of alternating color and is slightly frayed at the edges. The bright, mostly undecorated bands create a stark contrast to the central pattern. Bands at top and bottom are vertical while the bands at sides are horizonal. All pattern areas are filled with tiny plants and flowers.

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Object Timeline

1980	We acquired this object.
2012	We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2013	We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2019	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Shawl (India for European market)

This is a Shawl. It is dated mid-19th century and we acquired it in 1980. Its medium is wool and its technique is twill tapestry, embroidery. It is a part of the Textiles department.

A pattern of multicolor bands at the ends of a shawl was originally the result of a striped warp. The so-called harlequin border became so popular that manufacturers began adding them regardless of the shawl’s design.

This object was donated by Mrs. John Rolph. It is credited Bequest of Dorothy Franklin Rolph.

Horizontally rectangular shawl fragment. Backdrop is a well-worn tan color. Fragment has two rows of repeating teardrop shapes; one small across the center of the fragment, and one larger at the bottom. In between the two rows is a row of small, red circles, each circle comprised of flower petals. In between each teardrop shape within the large, bottom row is a leafy vine, extending from the bottom row of red circles to the row between the two teardrop rows. The teardrops themselves are comrpised of small blue and red patterns.

Shawl Border (France)
silk.
Gift of Anonymous Donor.
1941-67-2

Its dimensions are

H x W: 198.1 x 203.2 cm (6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 8 in.)

Cite this object as

Shawl (India for European market); wool; H x W: 198.1 x 203.2 cm (6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 8 in.); Bequest of Dorothy Franklin Rolph; 1980-38-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Paisley.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2DpFZ/
Accession Number 1980-38-1
Object ID 18615331