Important Notice

Early 20th century
Approx. 9ft 4in x 3ft 8in (289.5 x 116.8 cms)
Pashmina wool


Woven in yellow ochre predominantly this shawl has a compact design consisting of 'badam' or the paisley pattern in continuous repeat.The weaving is so dense that the ground is not visible, yet there is a rhythmic flow to the design.
Kanni shawls are woven in a fine twill tapestry. One or two weavers sit on a horizontal loom with 10 cm wooden needles like pieces without eyes, charred and blunted called "Kanni" or (Tojis)
The Pashmina that is used in both the warp as well as weft is from the Changra goat locally known as "lena"that dwells in the high altitudes of Ladakh and Tibet.Yarns of all the colors required are wrapped tightly around the fine long wooden needles or Kannis and then placed in the appropriate position on the warp.The weaver picks up the warp in one hand and then with the other hand brings the kannis backwards and forwards as the pattern requires following his design according to the description on the paper in front of him in traditional writing ( talim).

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