Paisley Woven Jamawar Shawl from India in Grey and Green, "Paisley Shadow"

Swirling across an expanse of soft wool, grey and ivory paisley covers a shawl from Sandeep Malhotra. It imitates the legendary jamawar work. The central panel combines a green weft and a black warp. These original textiles were embroidered by hand. So intricate was the work that a person could finish only one shawl in his lifetime. Such shawls were not sold, but were given to kings and queens who, in turn, gave the artisan properties according to the worth of the shawl. Authentic jamawar is virtually unavailable, but replicas such as this recall their amazing beauty.