Antique Paisley Shawls

Antique paisley shawls embody centuries of cultural exchange, exquisite artistry, and timeless fashion. First woven in Kashmir during the 17th and 18th centuries, these shawls were crafted from luxurious handspun pashmina wool, known for its unparalleled softness and warmth. The signature design — the boteh or teardrop motif — symbolized eternity and abundance in Persian culture and evolved into what the world now recognizes as “paisley.”

By the 19th century, these shawls had become the ultimate status symbol in Europe, worn by queens, aristocrats, and fashionable elites. Their desirability was so great that European weaving centers, most famously Paisley in Scotland, began producing their own versions. While the Kashmiri originals were prized for their fine weave, delicate detailing, and reversible kani technique, European shawls were celebrated for their bold patterns, larger scale, and innovative loom technology.