Early Brocaded Plaid Silk Shawl

Oyster colored fine silk forms the background of this early silk shawl with woven plaid in green, peach and pale yellow. In the center of each large square formed by the plaid is a large floral motif worked in fine silk floss in shades of red, pink, green, yellow and blue. At the intersecting points of the plaid is a smaller pattern, similar to a boteh found in paisley shawls, worked in red, blue, green and yellow. The shawl measures 70" square with the selvedge edge on two sides and hand hemming on the other two. The hand knotted fringe on all fours sides is made up of silk thread in the colors of the shawl, oyster, green and peach.

Overall the condition is very good. There are a couple of very small holes in the silk along the fold line, shown circled in one of the photos, and a couple of what appear to be scorch marks along one edge. The silk is supple and is not shattering or dry rotted and is still a beautiful piece. Silks such as this are very difficult to find today as they are delicate and many did not survive due to use or improper storage.