Canton Shawl

Small embroidered flowers, birds and butterflies dot the main field of this square, silk shawl. A large bird stands in each corner and all is contained within a border of scrolling flowers and leaves. The edges are finished with silk macrame and fringe. Shawls like this one were never in fashion in China, where they were produced. Rather they were made for export to Europe, where Victorian women wore them across their shoulders or draped them over furniture. Chinese export shawls in black and white were produced in large quantity and are hardly scarce, but yellow ones like this are rare and this particular yellow can be dated to the first half of the nineteen century.