Map shawl thumbnail 1
Map shawl thumbnail 2
+3
images
Not on display

Map shawl

Shawl
ca. 1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This embroidery shows a stylised map of Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. The ground fabric is pashmina, the fine goat-hair from which Kashmir shawls are woven, and the minutely detailed plan of the city, including houses, streets and mosques, as well as the blue expanse of Dal Lake and the river Jhelum, are also embroidered in pashmina.The tiny inscriptions identifying each building and place of interest are all embroidered in English.
The shawl belongs to the Royal Collection and is on loan from HM the Queen. It was sent as a gift to Queen Victoria in the late 19th century.

Object details

Category
Object type
TitleMap shawl (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Embroidered wool
Brief description
Map shawl: Embroidered with a map of Srinagar, Kashmir, c.1870
Physical description
Rectangular shawl of Kashmir goat-hair (pashmina) embroidered with a schematic map of Srinagar in woollen thread. The ground is red, with a blue expanse of Dal Lake and the river Jhelum dominating the field. At either end are smaller sections depicting beauty spots of the Kashmir valley such as the various Mughal gardens.
Dimensions
  • Length: 249cm
  • Width: 160cm
Style
Gallery label
(2001)
SHAWL: Embroidered with woollen thread, Srinagar, Kashmir, c.1870
Credit line
Lent by His Majesty The King
Object history
Lent by Her Majesty The Queen. Sent from Kashmir as a gift to Queen Victoria some time in the late 19th century.
Summary
This embroidery shows a stylised map of Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. The ground fabric is pashmina, the fine goat-hair from which Kashmir shawls are woven, and the minutely detailed plan of the city, including houses, streets and mosques, as well as the blue expanse of Dal Lake and the river Jhelum, are also embroidered in pashmina.The tiny inscriptions identifying each building and place of interest are all embroidered in English.
The shawl belongs to the Royal Collection and is on loan from HM the Queen. It was sent as a gift to Queen Victoria in the late 19th century.
Bibliographic references
  • Rosemary Crill, 'Embroidered Topography' in Hali, no.67 (1993), fig.5, p.94.
  • Visit the Royal Collection Trust’s website for more information at www.rct.uk/collection
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:ROYAL.743

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJuly 17, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSON