Shawl

Object Name:

Shawl

Object ID:

1968.515

Place of Origin:

Genoa, Italy

Date:

1800-1850

Description:

Printed panel lined with 1" rings for hanging. Italian printed cotton, from Genoa area, of Indianprint of gnarled tree and flowers,(blue, red, browns) with border of hunting scene a mazzari print made in early 1800s.

Large cotton panel printed with a Tree of Life inspired by Indian palampore designs. The panel is horizontally oriented, rather than vertical. The tree rises from a mound, and sprouts an array of realistic flowers; the ground is also strewn with flowers, as is the background. Butterflies and birds also flutter around the tree. The border design features scenes of hunters below a garland of flowers. The colors are shades of brown, red, and blue. The scene is block printed. It has been mounted to a plain white cotton backing, and steel rings (now very rusty) have been stitched across the top edge in back in order to hang the panel, probably to use it as a portiere. The documentation for this piece states that it was printed in Genoa, Italy, and was intended to be worn as a shawl over the head with the region's traditional folk costume.

Material:

Textile
Cotton

Dimensions:

W-105 L-89 inches

Provenance:

Belonged to donor's father, according to note with object.

Credit Line:

Gift of Katharine Prentis Murphy