Important Notice

These shawls were made in long sizes to be worn as shoulder mantles by maharajas and aristocrats

Mid 19th century
Fine handwoven, wool yarn, natural vegetable dyes
85.5 x 31 in (217 x 79 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE

The shawl, a garment with centuries-old roots in Asia, was traditionally a marker of nobility for Indian men, worn draped over the shoulder. According to curator and scholar John Irwin, its name originates from the Persian word shal, which referred to a woven fabric rather than a specific garment (John Irwin, "The Kashmir Shawl", The Kashmir Shawl, London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1973, p. I). Some of the most exquisite shawls come from Kashmir, crafted by skilled artisans using fine fleece from Central Asian mountain goats, known as pashmina in the West.

Kani shawls, like lots 53 and 54, are intricate, handwoven garments made using a complex twill-tapestry technique. They feature weft-facing geometric and floral designs and are named after the small needle-like wooden bobbins (kanis) used in their weaving. The term may also refer to the village of Kanihama, thought to be the origin of this art form.

These shawls were made in long sizes to be worn as shoulder mantles by maharajas and aristocrats

Mid 19th century
Fine handwoven, wool yarn, natural vegetable dyes
85.5 x 31 in (217 x 79 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE

The shawl, a garment with centuries-old roots in Asia, was traditionally a marker of nobility for Indian men, worn draped over the shoulder. According to curator and scholar John Irwin, its name originates from the Persian word shal, which referred to a woven fabric rather than a specific garment (John Irwin, "The Kashmir Shawl", The Kashmir Shawl, London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1973, p. I). Some of the most exquisite shawls come from Kashmir, crafted by skilled artisans using fine fleece from Central Asian mountain goats, known as pashmina in the West.

Kani shawls, like lots 53 and 54, are intricate, handwoven garments made using a complex twill-tapestry technique. They feature weft-facing geometric and floral designs and are named after the small needle-like wooden bobbins (kanis) used in their weaving. The term may also refer to the village of Kanihama, thought to be the origin of this art form.