Shawl 1844 - 1854

This is a "Shawl" made of wool and silk by Deneirouse and Boisglavy. As you look at this intricate textile, consider the world from which it emerged. During the nineteenth century, shawls like this one were high fashion in Europe and America, prized for their beauty and warmth. Their patterns, often featuring the teardrop motif known as "paisley," drew inspiration from Kashmir shawls imported from India, reflecting a global exchange of culture and commerce. Yet, this exchange was also deeply intertwined with colonialism and the exploitation of labor. European manufacturers, like Deneirouse and Boisglavy, sought to replicate these designs, sometimes at the expense of skilled artisans and indigenous traditions. Imagine the hands that labored to create this shawl, the weavers, dyers, and designers whose stories are woven into its very fabric. Consider, too, the women who wore such shawls, symbols of status and taste but also participants in a complex network of social and economic relations. This is a story about the intricate dance between imitation, innovation, and the human cost of fashion.