Delhi Shawl

Wool twill weave with polychrome silk embroidery in satin, straight and chain stitch. The red ground is decorated with small floral sprigs that are crammed into three botehs on each end and everything is edged with narrow borders, all similarly decorated.

Delhi shawls were originally used as men’s sashes and turbans. Their center field is not embroidered to facilitate being wrapped without adding bulk. By the late 18th century they were discovered by European merchants and enthusiastically adopted as ladies’ shawls.