Shawl
ca. 1865
Medium
Wool and silk
Dimensions
L. 135 x W. 63 inches (342.9 x 160.0 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Scottish, Paisley
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Louis S. Jurist, 1938
Accession Number
38.67
Art Historical Context
This striking shawl, woven around 5 by Emile-Frédéric Hébert, exemplifies the renowned Paisley textile tradition of Scotland. Created in the town of Paisley, these luxurious wraps became fashionable accessories across Europe and America during the mid-nineteenth century. Measuring over eleven feet in length, the generous proportions allowed the wearer to drape the fabric elegantly over shoulders and arms, transforming it into both a practical garment and a statement of refined taste. Crafted from wool and silk, the woven textile showcases the intricate techniques of Scottish weavers who adapt...