Shawl
ca. 1870
This shawl, which is in excellent condition, is representative of a class of Indian textiles identified as “woven and pieced,” generally using five or six different woven fragments cut variously into the main design elements and carefully sewn together. Because several looms (and weavers) could be employed weaving small pieces of the overall pattern, these shawls could be produced quickly—and inexpensively. The pieced-together nature of the textile recalls the Japanese kesa and the Korean bojagi, both assembled from fragments of textiles to create a single, patchwork whole.
Wool cloth with embroidery
Gift of Mrs. Virginia Van Ness
92.20