Western Europe, England / France, Victorian period, ca. 19th century CE. A pair of antique cashmere shawls, both with symmetrical and mesmerizing paisley motifs and black centers made by and for the European fashion market in the mid to late 1800s. Woven shawls from Kashmir were in high fashion in Europe during the 18th and 19th century, Josephine Bonaparte had a love for shawls imported from India, and undoubtedly her notoriety and prominence in the public eye increased this expensive textile's popularity. The 1804 patented Jacquard loom machine helped meet the cashmere demand, and the once handwoven and traditional patterns from India and the Near East were less prevalent in European markets after this period. Size of larger cloth: 125" L x 58" W (317.5 cm x 147.3 cm)

Provenance: private Ferndale, Michigan, USA collection; ex-private Detroit, Michigan, USA collection, acquired prior to 2004

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#183400

Areas of unraveling and fraying to fringe and selvedge edges, and scattered small perforations on both. Overall great condition for age.