Shawl 19th-20th century

This elegant shawl, undated and made by an unknown hand, is composed of wool. It features a delicate floral pattern woven into a fine weave. Textiles like this one provide a direct connection to the social and economic structures of their time. Shawls were important trade items, traveling along established trade routes and finding their way into collections like this one. Because of the complex designs and expensive materials, shawls like this one can tell us about the colonial networks in which the design, manufacture, and trade of textiles flourished. By studying similar examples from the period, like trade records, shipping manifests, or even fashion plates, we can begin to understand not only the artistic value of these objects but also their place in a global exchange of goods and ideas.