Europe first encountered the gossamer-fine shawls woven in Kashmir in the 1760s, and they soon became fashionable in France and Britain. At first, shawls of the kind used in India by both men and women were brought over, but before long, designs for Western taste were being made in Kashmir. The favorite design was the buta or Paisley motif, which had originated in Kashmir but became increasingly elaborate under the influence of western designers.

Join the conversation with Rosemary Crill, recently retired Senior Curator for South Asia, Victoria & Albert Museum, London. We’ll explore the origin of Kashmir shawls in India, their introduction into western fashionable dress, and their imitation by French and British weavers.

Rosemary Crill has published widely on Indian textiles and paintings. Her books include Indian Embroidery, Marwar Painting, Indian Ikat Textiles, Chintz: Indian Textiles for the West and most recently The Fabric of India, which accompanied the major exhibition of the same name at the V&A in 2015-16.

http://seattleartmuseum.org/visit/calendar/events?EventId=59069

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$15; SAM members $10