Shawl

Shawl

One silk textile length of shawl-like dimensions with multi-colored geometrical patterns. The main body of the garment is divided horiz. into 3 sections 42.5" 23.5" and 43.75" long. The 1st section has 3 horiz. panels. The 2 outer ones are filled with stepped sections within rectangles. The central panel has alternating orange and grey rectangles with shorter hot pink and blue rectangles at one end. The central horiz. section of the garment has 4 bands in purple white and magenta and pale green-shot with red. The 3rd horiz. section has continuous stepped zig-zags in purple hot pink white blue orange pale green and magenta-all shot with hot pink in the warp. This blending of the weft colors with hot pink imparts a subtle modulation called "shot" to the vibrant hues of the silk. At either end is a border 10" long filled with similar stepped geometrical designs. Each tassel is a foot long knotted for 2.5" of its length to form a lacy edging in purple hot pink orange yellow grey and white and light pink. Hand-made. Weaving dates to c. 200 BC in the Philippines. Cotton and silk weave imported. Donor's father collected a number of textiles white stationed in the Philippines as an Army officer c. 1900-1917.

1987.005.008