Doopsjaal gedecoreerd met kwastjes 1883

This christening shawl, decorated with tassels, was likely made anonymously, at an undetermined date. It is made of textile. The shawl’s lace-like texture influences its appearance, giving it a light and airy feel, despite being a woven object. To make it, the maker would have engaged with skilled traditions of weaving and embellishment, and drawn on a long history of textile production. The amount of work involved in the production process is considerable. It would have taken many hours to complete the object's design, from weaving to adding the tassels. The meticulous process of weaving threads, knotting, and braiding gives it a social and cultural significance beyond its practical use. It shows the amount of labor required to produce such a finely detailed object. When we appreciate the materials, making, and context of this christening shawl, we can see it as more than just a textile. It's a testament to the skill of its maker, and challenges our traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.