Dating back to the 1930s, this silk shawl once belonged to a lady called Avril. With the shawl comes two photographs of Avril wearing it in her youth in the early 1950s. A beautiful piece of history.
The shawl is embroidered with golden budding and blooming roses to one corner, with sunburst ombre black & golden tassels.
Size
46" x 46" square without fringing
The fringing is 23" long
Condition Report
In lovely vintage condition but we must add there are a few white marks, a small tear to one edge and some very small holes in the shawl which is only obvious in certain lighting
Please note colours may vary depending on your screen.
This is a vintage piece. Threads may be lose, imperfections may occur. We are always very honest with our listings and will always list any age related issues we notice but please be aware that this shawl is 90+ years old.
Manton de Manila Shawl History
The Spanish shawl stands as a vibrant testament to its fashion influence, prominently depicted in European portraits from the 19th century and captured in photographs throughout the first half of the 20th century. Its roots, however, stretch back to much earlier times, with its probable origin dating as far back as the 17th century. The Manila shawl gained significant popularity in the 18th and early 19th centuries, primarily in regions like Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Spain, and eventually spreading across Europe.
Despite its association with the name "Manila," the shawl is most closely linked to Spain. Historically, it was initially crafted in Canton, China, and reached Mexico and Spain via the port of Manila. As the demand for Manila shawls surged, numerous Cantonese factories ramped up production, while certain regions in Spain began adding their own embroidery touches. However, it's important to note that a substantial portion of these goods, including Manila shawls, were still being produced in China solely for export purposes.
