Antique Kashmir Shawl / Throw

This Kashmir Paisley textile was made in northern India in the 1800s. Kashmiri shawls are highly prized for their fine wool, skilfully weaved, with soft texture. This one was made by hand on a vertical loom and would have taken six months to make including the dying time. Shawls were originally worn exclusively by men and were very long as this example to cover the entire length of the body, later adopted by women, then as decorative items in interior decoration. Later shawls were shortened to be worn as a wrap over the shoulders. Some minor wear as expected on a 170+ year-old shawl, but overall very good condition as shown.