Important Notice

KASHMIR, MID 19TH CENTURY
Handspun and handwoven Pashmina, natural dyes
72.25 x 72.25 in (184 x 184 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE

The four-sided borders are often made up of multicoloured pieces, with each colour enclosed within an embroidered arch and a pattern embroidered on the inner surface. This feature led to them being called harlequin shawls in the West. However, in Kashmir and Iran, they were said to be representative of the colours of the rainbow and associated with the colourful dress worn by some Sufi dervishes.

Bold rumals such as these were generally woven during the Dogra period, sometimes in Kashmir but also in Amritsar, Punjab. They were fashionable among the aristocracy of North India, and also exported to Persia where they were popular with the nobility of the Qajar period.

KASHMIR, MID 19TH CENTURY
Handspun and handwoven Pashmina, natural dyes
72.25 x 72.25 in (184 x 184 cm)

NON-EXPORTABLE

The four-sided borders are often made up of multicoloured pieces, with each colour enclosed within an embroidered arch and a pattern embroidered on the inner surface. This feature led to them being called harlequin shawls in the West. However, in Kashmir and Iran, they were said to be representative of the colours of the rainbow and associated with the colourful dress worn by some Sufi dervishes.

Bold rumals such as these were generally woven during the Dogra period, sometimes in Kashmir but also in Amritsar, Punjab. They were fashionable among the aristocracy of North India, and also exported to Persia where they were popular with the nobility of the Qajar period.

Catalogue Note